Footballers reflect on their 'unstoppable’ childhoods as Brighton & Hove Albion FC teams up with UNICEF for World Children’s Day
- Albion players, are raising awareness of the Club’s partnership with UNICEF, which aims to use the power of football for good and strengthen UNICEF’s efforts to build a world where every child is happy, healthy, and safe
- Kaoru Mitoma said “education made me unstoppable as a child” with Fran Kirby crediting the love of her family and friends in making her childhood unstoppable
- A special film showcasing the players’ stories is being shown as UNICEF hosts ‘takeovers’ at two matches – with fans able to share their own unstoppable stories
- With the help of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club and its supporters, UNICEF can reach even more children and families with the support they need to survive and thrive.
- Video and photos available to download here: https://unicef.resourcespace.com?c=28527&k=3fd9dd2b95
Monday 17 November: A host of Brighton & Hove Albion FC players have joined forces with UNICEF to celebrate the unstoppable spirit of children ahead of World Children’s Day.
Players including Fran Kirby, Jack Hinshelwood and Kaoru Mitoma have been sharing what made their childhoods unstoppable – and encouraging fans to do the same. It is part of the Club’s partnership with the world’s leading child rights organisation which aims to use the power of football for good and strengthen UNICEF’s efforts to build a world where every child is happy, healthy, and safe.
Fran Kirby said: “I experienced loss and grief at a young age, and I lost myself and my love for football for years. What helped me find my way back was the love of my family and friends. They gave me space to heal and reminded me it’s okay to ask for help. That support made me unstoppable.”
Jack Hinshelwood said: “I’d say specifically my granddad [made me unstoppable]– we played a lot of golf together…and he took me to a lot of games. He played a big part in my childhood… He passed away a few years ago, and he played for Palace, so when I scored that goal against Palace, it was quite an emotional moment for me.”
Kaoru Mitoma said: “Education made me unstoppable as a child. It opened my world, kept me curious, and showed me what’s possible. Education and sport together gave me the chance to go far, to grow, and pursue my dreams.”
Danny Welbeck added: “UNICEF is supporting children all around the world who need it the most – believing in their potential and helping them stand tall no matter the challenge. I’m really proud that Brighton & Hove Albion have teamed up with UNICEF, and this World Children’s Day we can all help build a world where every child can keep dreaming, and childhood never has to stop.”
A film featuring the footballers’ experiences is being showcased at two of Albion’s matches as part of takeovers hosted by UNICEF to highlight it’s new ‘Making Childhood Unstoppable’ campaign – an empowering initiative that aims to amplify children’s voices and celebrate them as an unstoppable force, raising awareness of UNICEF’s work to build a better world for every child.
Right now, children around the world are caught up in crises beyond their control, from ongoing conflict in Sudan and Gaza to climate emergencies, devastating their lives and threatening their childhoods. UNICEF is working with partners and communities in over 190 countries, to clear the path and make the world ready for children, so childhood never has to stop.
Dr Philip Goodwin, UNICEF UK’s Chief Executive, said: “Children are born ready – to learn, play, grow, and thrive – yet global crises such as wars and climate change are threatening their childhoods.
“We’re hugely grateful to our partners Brighton & Hove Albion FC for supporting UNICEF in its mission to transform the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children, meaning we can scale up our efforts to support the wellbeing of children everywhere. Together we are making childhood unstoppable.”
Paul Barber OBE, Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman at BHAFC, said: “We are incredibly proud of our partnership with UNICEF and all that we have achieved so far, helping them to deliver some of their vital programmes supporting children across the world.
“It’s an honour to have them host takeovers at two of our matches, and we hope our fans will join us and show their support for UNICEF too.”
Fans who attended Brighton & Hove Albion’s match in the WSL v Leicester City on Sunday November 16 were invited to share their own ‘unstoppable’ stories on social media, with fans attending Albion’s Premier League v Brentford Football Club this Saturday November 22 able to do the same.
Fans will be able to choose from a unique selection of BHAFC and UNICEF face painting and temporary tattoo designs and donate to UNICEF via QR codes around the stadium.
Fans will also be able to learn more about Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club’s ‘One Goal’ – a sector-leading plan, guided by UNICEF’s expertise, that puts the rights of all children including fans, players, and those engaged in Foundation activities, at the heart of the Club.
Find out more and donate: https://www.unicef.org.uk/donate/brighton-hove-albion-football-club/
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
*UNICEF does not endorse any brand, company, product or service.
For more information, please contact UNICEF UK Media team at [email protected] or 0208 375 6030, or the club media team at Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club at [email protected]
Video and photos available to download here: https://unicef.resourcespace.com?c=28527&k=3fd9dd2b95
Full player quotes – featured in film
When asked who made her childhood unstoppable, Nadine Noordam said: “I would say…my grandpa. He was always looking after us as kids. He really let me be a child. It was really nice to have had him in my life.”
Aisha Masaka said: “I would say myself and my coaches. They gave me the opportunity to play football, and they gave me strength to believe in myself.”
Ferdi Kadioglu said: “My parents. They did everything to become a better person, to become a better athlete. They put me on 4 different sports – football, tennis, gymnastic, judo. So they did everything to let me improve. My mother was also a professional ballerina, so she learned me a lot of discipline as well. I really appreciate that.”
Jack Hinshelwood said: “I idolised my dad when I went to watch him [play football] when I was young, and my grandad as well. But I’d say specifically my granddad [made me unstoppable] – we played a lot of golf together…and he took me to a lot of games. He played a big part in my childhood… He passed away a few years ago, and he played for Palace, so when I scored that goal against Palace, it was quite an emotional moment for me.”
Additional quotes
Fran Kirby: “I experienced loss and grief at a young age, and I lost myself and my love for football for years. What helped me find my way back was the love of my family and friends. They gave me space to heal and reminded me it’s okay to ask for help. That support made me unstoppable. Every child deserves a safe space and someone that listens, protects, and supports their wellbeing when the world feels tough. Children are facing incredibly hard challenges all over the world and UNICEF is there to make sure they can have safe, happy childhoods. Our partnership, and your support, is so important and will make such a difference.
Danny Welbeck: “UNICEF is supporting children all around the world who need it the most – believing in their potential and helping them stand tall no matter the challenge. I’m really proud that Brighton & Hove Albion have teamed up with UNICEF UK, and this World Children’s Day we can all help build a world where every child can keep dreaming, and childhood never has to stop.”
Maisie Symonds: “My dad coached me from the sidelines long before I ever played for a team. He taught me to be brave training with the boys, and to never be afraid of standing out or being different. Those lessons made me unstoppable. It’s so important for every child to embrace what makes them unique, and it means a lot to join UNICEF UK and Brighton & Hove Albion for World Children’s Day — helping children everywhere reach their full potential.”
Lewis Dunk: “Growing up in Brighton, I am surrounded by support from family, coaches, mates, and the club. That support made me unstoppable, it kept me grounded, humbled, and proud to show up.”
Kaoru Mitoma: “Education made me unstoppable as a child. It opened my world, kept me curious, and showed me what’s possible. Education and sport together gave me the chance to go far, to grow, and pursue my dreams.”
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.
United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland).
For more information visit unicef.org.uk. Follow UNICEF UK on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
About World’ Children’s Day
World Children’s Day will take place on November 20, 2025. The date marks the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the the Convention on the Rights of the Child and will see children around the world standing up and talking about their lives, their hopes, and their rights.
https://www.unicef.org/take-action/campaigns/world-childrens-day
About Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club
Brighton & Hove Albion are an English Premier League and Women’s Super League football club, based in the south-east county of East Sussex. Founded in 1901 the club, played at the Goldstone Ground until 1997. The club nearly crashed out of the Football League and out of business as well, as then owners sold the stadium with nowhere to go. Supporters rallied to save the club and bring the club back from exile to the Withdean Stadium.
Chairman Tony Bloom has led the club since 2009, and has overseen a prolonged period of sustained progress and success.
In 2011 Brighton moved to the state-of-the-art American Express Stadium. The club was promoted to the Premier League for the first time in 2017, and in 2022 qualified for European competition for the first time.
The club has an award-winning charitable Foundation changing lives across Brighton, Hove and Sussex; strong connections with the fan base and community it represents; while the club also has key core values to create a strong culture to promote equality, diversity and inclusivity amongst its playing squads and staff base.
For more information visit brightonandhovealbion.com.