Vincent Kompany gives testimonial money to homeless charity

In an incredible gesture, Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has pledged to give all of the profits from his testimonial to help tackle the homeless crisis in Manchester.

Kompany moved to the Etihad Stadium 10 years ago and has quickly become one of the most iconic figures in the club’s history, captaining the side to three Premier League titles and has been one of the best defenders in the world during that time.

The 32-year-old has engaged in plenty of charitable acts in the past, being a FIFA ambassador for charity SOS Children. In his work with them, Kompany has committed to and invested in a host of projects with the intention of providing both an education and safe living conditions for children living in poverty.

In 2013, he also bought Belgian football club FC Bleid for what he described as a "social commitment towards the youngsters of Brussels". Kompany did so in order to offer disadvantaged children the opportunity to stay on the straight and narrow through the avenue of sport.

Now, the Manchester City captain has teamed up with Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to set up ‘Tackle4MCR’, which has been formed with the intentions of ensuring all rough sleepers in the city have a bed.

Burnham has previously targeted 2020 as the year in which homelessness is no longer a crisis in the city and will also be heavily involved.

Kompany has been a huge figure at the club ever since he arrive and has been touched by the current issue within the city.

He told the Manchester Evening News: “I’ve received much from Manchester: a great career at the highest level, unconditional support from the fans through thick and thin, a lovely family and so much more to be grateful for.

“Over the past decade I’ve been lucky to have witnessed and played a part in Manchester City’s rise as a club and a brand. This has also run parallel alongside the rise of a whole region.

“However, with this spectacular rise, comes a very visible downside: more and more people are left out of and have no access to the benefits of the rapid development, often leaving them no choice but to end up on the streets.”

Both Kompany and Burnham have encouraged investors and businesses to get involved in the scheme, asking those ‘with a big heart for Manchester and the means to make a difference’ to come forward.

Mayor Burnham will donate 15% of his yearly salary to the charity, and Kompany has also launched a ‘A Bed Every Night’ campaign in an attempt to kick start the movement, as well as raise awareness to the city.

Other plans include a series of activities involving those that invest in the project, including a gala dinner, a ‘#footballFriday campaign’ and schemes to raise awareness of the issue to children in schools, details of which will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Kompany added: “What inspired me so much about this region, about this city, is the positivity of the people that live in it. The humour as well, the banter! And I think it’s shown in the last ten years, look at the city, how it’s grown, the things that didn’t exist when I signed for Manchester City.

“So I think as we are growing, as this city is so powerful compared to so many other cities I have visited in the past, I think we have a responsibility to take everyone along with us on that journey and that’s why I believe in tonight.

“I think Andy has set a wonderful example with the 15 percent of his salary going to the Homelessness Fund and this night can start something beautiful, tonight can achieve something truly unique for a city who is my adopted home now.”