Addicks among the London Leaders
The Addicks may be based in the south of the capital, but Charlton are now a sizeable part of building a greater London after assuming a prestigious ambassadorial role.
On Thursday, the forward-thinking Addicks learned they were the only football club to be involved in the London Leaders programme following an extensive selection process.
And the club will work with other organisations of all sizes in a bid to address and improve the capital's image.
Charlton are among the second batch of leaders chosen for the prestigious project, which encourages London firms and individuals to take action in their own communities, homes and workplaces to make the capital even better.
After receiving the groundbreaking green light, delighted chief executive Steve Waggott said: "It is very good news for the club.
"Our slogan concerning our social responsibility work has always been 'More than a football club', and we take our iconic position within the community seriously.
"I believe Charlton leads the way in using what I call the universal language and global appeal of the game, and this was recently illustrated by our anti-street violence initiative.
"The London Leaders scheme is about asking trendsetters from a range of industries - such as retail, construction, transport and leisure - that are already seen as pushing back boundaries to achieve sustainable ongoing change within London, to commit to a new goal to go beyond their usual practices to inspire others."
Charlton's selection to join the London Leaders project continues its pioneering work in its local community that has seen the club lead the way from within the beautiful game.
As well as gaining national acclaim for their Street Violence Ruins Lives campaign, launched at the home game against Reading on August 23rd, the club are regulars in classrooms, colleges, estates - and even prisons.
And their impressive achievements also include being the first club to devote an annual event to combating racism, and the first to use football to warn children about the dangers of playing near railway lines.
High-profile dignitaries such as Prince William and then Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, now the Prime Minister of course, have witnessed the work first hand, while the Charlton Community Trust's work even stretches overseas and continues to benefit three major cities in South Africa.
Added Waggott: "The programme asks three questions. Are we doing something special to make London a better place? Do we inspire others? And will we make our commitment public?
"Our answer to all three is an unequivocal yes. Whenever we talk about the full development and remit of our community work around the world there are gasps of astonishment, and we are proud to again lead the way.”
