In 2004, Welsh football fans Tim Hartley and Neil Dyrnock headed to Baku to watch Wales play Aberzaijan during the EUROs – an experience that sparked a life-changing journey. While on their trip, they met a local street child, a moment that deeply moved them and highlighted the harsh realities faced by many vulnerable children. Inspired by this encounter and driven by a desire to reflect Welsh values of compassion and community, they founded Gôl Cymru later that year. Since then, the initiative has gone on to support hundreds of underprivileged children around the world - and continues to grow.
Witnessing the immense hospitality shown by host nations every time Wales played away, Tim and Neil felt it was only right to give something back. Gôl Cymru’s efforts have left pieces of Welsh goodwill around the world.
For the 2025 Women’s EUROs, Gôl Cymru will be leaving a little bit of Wales in Switzerland by sponsoring the shirts of the under-12 girls team at Swiss team, US Terre Sainte FC. The club, which includes refugee players in its younger teams, relies heavily on fundraising to keep going. With the second largest girls programme in Switzerland, they’re committed to ensuring they don’t turn any girls away - and Gôl Cymru’s support will help them continue that mission.
This marks the latest in a long line of support initiatives launched by Gôl over the last two decades.
Whenever Wales play away, Gôl Cymru takes the opportunity to support young people in the host nation.. The charity has partnered with children’s homes, hospitals and local organisations in more than 40 countries - from New York to Tbilisi, providing donations, school supplies, gifts and even football coaching sessions. While the support depending on the country and the specific needs of the children they meet, Gôl has helped cover cancer treatments, donated football kits to refugees, and supported local charities working with vulnerable youth..
In September 2022, while Welsh supporters were drawing praise from Belgian officials for cleaning up a Brussels square, Gôl Cymru visited La Cité Joyeuse, a children's home for 200 children of all ages. This was not their first visit, having supported them in 2013 and 2014. Donations to Gôl, raised from pre-match parties in Brussels, saw them provide a special, adapted tablet to help children at the home with motor difficulties.
At the 2022 Men’s World Cup in Qatar, as not to be insensitive to their hosts culture of seeing itself as a giving nation, Gôl Cymru donated the funds from their events in the Middle East and Wales to children’s charities at home, chosen by Welsh supporters.
Then, ahead of Wales’ Play-Off against Ireland to qualify for this summer’s Euros, Gôl sponsored the shirts of East Wall Bessborough Football Club’s under 10s girls team. East Wall Bessborough is an inner city club that was saved from closure a few years ago by the community and who’s motto of Together We're Stronger is similar to the Football Association of Wales’s #TogetherStronger.
On home soil, Gôl arranges for local children to join The Red Wall - the name given to Wales supporters - during Welsh home games. It has also brought children from across the globe over to Wales, giving them the chance to experience its castles, coast and culture.
The Red Wall was recognised by UEFA for their passion and behaviour at Euro 2016 in France. And it’s this spirit of togetherness and respect that the charity aims to leave behind around the world, alongside the more tangible donations and gifts.
Gôl Cymru will be taking a squad of Wales fans to visit the US Terre Sainte FC club on Tuesday 8 July.