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Everton’s under-23 team have raised enough money to buy a home for young people at risk of rough sleeping.

Coach and former Everton star David Unsworth and his players have raised £244,400 to buy a house that will provide a home for young people at risk of becoming homeless.

The plan is to offer 16-23-year-olds who have fallen on hard times, or perhaps dropped out of the care system, a place to stay in Liverpool.

The scheme is being run in conjunction with the club’s official charity, Everton in the Community. As well as providing a roof over their heads, the charity will also offer health advice, education, skills training and volunteering opportunities to the young people.

Home Is Where The Heart Is launched in November last year with the Goodison Sleepout, an event which saw the full under-23 squad, members of the coaching staff and Everton supporters sleep rough in the stands at Goodison Park on what turned out to be the coldest night of the year.

(Image: Anthony McArdle)

The campaign was boosted by significant cash donations from Everton chairman Bill Kenwright, Blues’ legend Duncan Ferguson and right-back Seamus Coleman among others.

Members of a number of Everton’s supporters’ clubs also contributed to the fundraising effort, with 23 fans taking part in the Sligo to Goodison Cycle Challenge on the hottest weekend of the year in June. The fans cycled 230 miles in just 36 hours in a bid to raise £60,000 for the campaign.

Mr Unsworth said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to everybody from the committee, to all the fans and the under-23 players who have taken part in our amazing campaign.

“To finally reach the target is an amazing achievement and to have done it as quickly as we have is just fabulous.

“To be able to finish the project and help the people in Liverpool who need it most, it’s the best and most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.

“We’ve done something special and we will continue to help, support and fund the project. It’s just great to be able to help people who are less fortunate than ourselves. Thank you so much to everybody who has played a part.”

(Image: Anthony McArdle)

Everton in the Community’s executive chair, Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale, said: “We will not rest on our laurels now the money has been raised and will continue our search to find a house close to Goodison Park where we can offer young people who have fallen on hard times or come out of the care system, a place to stay in Liverpool before they become homeless.”

Although the fundraising target has now been reached, fans can still donate to the cause through the Home is Where the Heart is JustGiving page. Everton in the Community also wants to hear from people who can provide items or services which could be used for the house or for the young people, such as driving lessons or clothing for job interviews.