Pelé Memorabilia to be Auctioned for a
Peckham/South London Church

Footie fans and admirers of the legendary Brazilian centre forward Pelé have an opportunity to bid for a rare item of memorabilia this autumn, while helping a youth-oriented good cause.

Pelé has autographed a Brazilian football shirt - this year’s design - in support of an urgent initiative to raise £1.6 million and save the UCKG HelpCentre at 176 Rye Lane, Peckham. The shirt is up for auction with a reserve price of £5,000. Bids are due in by 9.00pm on Tuesday 6th November, either by email via the website www.thebennevischallenge.com or by post to The Ben Nevis Challenge, UCKG HelpCentre, Rainbow Theatre, 232 Seven Sisters Road, London N4 3NX. The winner will receive the shirt on 2nd December.

The Peckham HelpCentre is run by a popular Pentecostal church - UCKG - which has its origins in Brazil. For the last ten years its Peckham branch has been doing sterling work supporting young people who are trying to show the Red Card to drug addictions or gang life. However UCKG never turns anyone away and also helps the old and sick, prisoners, singles and families. 

Faced with a real possibility of closure of its HelpCentre at 176 Rye Lane as the 10-year lease comes to an end and a new landlord wants to redevelop the property, the church is on a massive fundraising drive. It has to raise £1.6 million by the end of this year to retain the facility. 

A key activity will be a sponsored climb up Ben Nevis, on November 28 led by Bishop Renato Cardoso who heads up the church in the UK.  Pele’s shirt is inscribed: “Thanks for helping Ben Nevis challenge. Pelé”

“We were given the shirt following a recent conversation between my wife, Cristiane, and Pelé’s wife,” explains Bishop Renato.  “Our cause was dear to Pelé’s heart as his own son currently stands accused of drug related crimes, with the court case in progress. He is therefore supporting the Ben Nevis Challenge appeal as part of his fight against drugs, and we are very grateful.”

Peckham has long term issues with crime, guns and gangs and UCKG aims to continue combating these by offering youths a better alternative to street life in a new and improved HelpCentre. 

This will include a brand new, fully equipped Youth Centre to provide training, encourage academic excellence, and promote sound life skills. CLAIT (Computer Literacy and Information Technology) courses will be available along with mentoring services, careers guidance, and leisure space and activities.

The HelpCentre approach, which is based on young people reaching out to young people, is very successful. It connects well with youngsters, understanding the mindset and peer pressure of youths today. UCKG’s experience with hundreds of youngsters in Youth Groups across the UK has shown that even the most problematic young people can change for the better and contribute positively to society.

Further information about the Peckham HelpCentre, the sponsored climb of Ben Nevis, and Pelé’s shirt auction can be found on the website www.thebennevischallenge.com.

The auction is over, but you can now buy raffle tickets to win this shirt.

If you require any further information regarding the UCKG, please submit your enquiry or telephone Francessca Lewis on 0207 686 6033.