Newcastle United fans raise £4,500 in Christian Atsu’s memory to help build new school

A Newcastle United fan group have raised an incredible £4,500 in memory of Christian Atsu to help complete his charity work in Ghana.

Talk of Tyneside will use the money to finalise the construction of a school in Ghana started by the late footballer.

The money raised is being transferred to Arms Around The Child, the chairty Christian was an ambassador for and who are aiming to open the school in June.

A spokesperson for Talk of Tyneside added, “We are all incredibly proud of this fundraiser and the role that Toon fans around the world have played in helping Arms Around The Child finish the construction of the new school in Senya Beraku.

“Everyone associated with our club already knows just how unique and giving our fanbase is, and this fundraiser is a perfect example of how we can all pull together to help something positive happen, following the loss of someone from our community.”

Christian was tragically killed in the earthquake in Turkey last month where he was playing for Süper Lig club Hatayspor.

He played for Newcastle between 2016-2021, making 107 appearances. They continued: “Our team has been liaising with the Ghanaian Ministry of Education who are set to offer government level facilitatory support for the project, which we hope will make it a school that Christian and his family can be proud of.”

Christian spent his career supporting and uplifting communities in his native Ghana through charity work.

He previously said: “Whenever I go home, I am happy. You never forget the person you were before you left.

“I survived but I don’t forget.”

Ellie Milner, from Arms Around The Child, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to the Talk of Tyneside team and everyone that donated to the fundraiser, it really has been an incredible show of appreciation for Christian and his legacy.

“The money raised is going to be used to finish the school building that we started alongside Christian, as well as for the purchase of computers, books for the library, sports equipment and school uniforms.

“We are working towards having the school open by the end of June 2023 and will of course keep Talk of Tyneside and all the Newcastle fans who donated updated on the progress.”

The fundraiser is still open and you can donate here.

Newcastle United are also raising money in Christian’s memory by auctioning off their Carabao Cup final shirts.