Everton Women captain Dan Turner has been recognised for her selfless off-the-field work by being named the Club’s PFA Community Champion for 2019/20.
Skipper Turner led by example as the Everton Women squad enthusiastically supported the Blues’ charitable efforts throughout the season.
Willie Kirk’s players committed to spending one afternoon each month helping out with the Club’s community initiatives and Everton Academy graduate Turner took part in a wide range of activities.
Last summer the defender visited the Let Our Girls Succeed programme in Kenya, which works with vulnerable girls living in underprivileged parts of the East African country, helping them learn new skills, gain qualifications and build confidence.
Along with fellow Everton stars Gabby George and Simone Magill, Turner joined the youngsters to take part in football and netball matches, as well as learning some traditional Kenyan dance routines.
Turner also led coaching sessions for 60 schoolchildren at the Club’s USM Finch Farm training ground and took part in a question-and-answer session with 10-year-old girls which focused on going through puberty while playing sport.
Upon being named Everton’s 2019/20 PFA Community Champion, Turner was eager to pay tribute to the entire squad’s charitable efforts.
“It’s an honour to receive this award,” Turner told evertonfc.com.
“I think it is so important to give back to the community, which is a massive part of this Football Club.
“I have to accept this on behalf of the whole team who all equally put the time and effort in with all of the visits.
“We look forward to putting even more into the community next season, especially when things can hopefully get back to a more ‘normal’ way of living.”
Other work included the 28-year-old Turner visiting Everton in the Community’s Girls on Side programme – which helps women who are suffering with their mental health – while also participating in the fourth annual Goodison Sleepout in February.
That event saw the Everton Women squad sleep overnight at Goodison Park to raise funds for EitC’s Home Is Where The Heart Is programme, which supports young people at risk of homelessness.
Turner also paid a surprise visit to six-year-old Evertonian Jackson to congratulate him for raising more than £1,500 for EitC by taking part in the If You Know Your History 5k Run.
Richard Kenyon, Chief Executive of Everton in the Community, praised Turner and Richarlison, who was named Everton’s 2019/20 PFA Community Champion for the men’s team.
He said: “On behalf of everyone connected to Everton in the Community, I’d like to say a big thank you to Dan for her continued support of our work and for the enthusiasm and warmth she brings to our sessions. As the captain of Everton Women, Dan sets a fantastic example to her teammates who have all been fantastic ambassadors of our charity.
“I’d like to thank Willie Kirk for encouraging his players to give one day a month to attend our sessions and for everything he does to support us throughout the year.
“We are fortunate to have great support from both the men’s and women’s teams at the Club and while Richarlison and Dan have been deserving winners of the respective Community Champion awards this season – we get so much support from every single player which makes such a difference to our charity.”
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