Life changing

Joe, 92, conquers the football world

Eighty-two years ago, Joe, 10, had a dream. He wanted to play football and he wanted to be a goalkeeper.

Some dreams can take longer than others to come true.

Thanks to National Lottery funding, Joe’s time has finally come and he’s proud as punch to play goalie for his local Danderball club. Even though he knows only too well that, at 92, diving for the save is the simple part… getting back up is more of a challenge.

Danderball is a National Lottery funded walking football team based in Belfast. The group welcomes older men and women to their weekly training sessions across the city and while the pace is somewhat slower, the skill, commitment and comradery are like that of any football team.

Keeping fit and healthy is just part of what this group provides. Friendship and a reason to get out of the house, to spend time with others is what gets most of the team racing down to the club once a week. For those who live alone and face days without human contact, the sessions are the highlight of their week, a lifeline away from isolation, made possible thanks to National Lottery funding.

Click below to watch Joe in action.

2nd July 2019

The National Lottery has been changing the lives of winners and supporting good causes across the UK since 1994. In that time, there have been more than 7,000 new millionaires created and by playing The National Lottery you raise over £4 million for Good Causes every dayΔ.

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