Hundreds of children will cheer on Blackburn Rovers as they take on Portsmouth as part of the Ewood Express initiative.

For the remainder of the 2024-25 season, Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, will be the official Ewood Express partner. 

The funding for the partnership has been provided by the Premier League Charitable Fund. 

The project sees children from schools, mosques, and community groups from Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn travel to the game in buses and watch the match. For some, it is the first time they have stepped into a stadium.

One of those in attendance will be Rawdatul Uloom Madrassah, which has supported the Ewood Express initiative since its inception in 2020. 

Ahead of the game against Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers Community Trust has donated the use of the Indoor Centre at Ewood Park for Rawdatul Uloom Madrassah to host its weekly football tournament.

More than 40 young people aged six to 13 will take part in the tournament, which will last approximately 90 minutes.

This weekend’s Ewood Express also aligns with the EFL’s longstanding Week of Action campaign.

Head of commercial and partnerships at Blackburn Rovers, Yasir Sufi, said: “We are excited to welcome more than 500 young people to the game this weekend as part of the Ewood Express initiative. 

“Once again, Ewood Express has proven to be a huge success this season and the numbers this weekend show the huge impact it is making on so many young people’s lives. 

“We’d also like to thank Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, who do tremendous work to support our local community, for partnering with us to support the initiative.”

Chief executive at Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, Gary Robinson, added: “We’re proud to be the new official partner of Ewood Express, starting this weekend. 

“The offer provided by the club aligns with the charity’s objectives so it makes perfect sense for us to support Ewood Express.

“We’re looking forward to bringing many more children and families from all communities to Ewood Park, to share the passion and excitement of what supporting your local team in person can only bring.

“We’re excited for this weekend’s match and welcoming more than 500 young people, including Rawdatul Uloom Madrassah, who will be using the Blackburn Rovers Indoor Centre for their weekly youth football tournament."

If your school, mosque, grassroots club or community group is interested in getting involved in the Ewood Express this season, including the QPR fixture, you can email ewoodexpress@rovers.co.uk for further information.