FOOTBALLERS and a politician united to support a local charity which encourages people to volunteer.

Footballers Emmanuel Ntamack Billa, Fabrice Muamba and Geremi attended an event at the Paradox Centre in Ching Way, Chingford, last week arranged by local charity Africa Foundation Stone and supported by VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas).

They were joined by Minister of State for International Development, Gareth Thomas, who gave a talk on tackling poverty.

Emmanuel Ntamack Billa, who currently plays for Portuguese football team Benfica, said: "I owe my career to people who have volunteered. Whilst living in Cameroon, a volunteer from African Foundation Stone set up a scouting programme - it was his involvement that resulted in my professional career at Benfica and got me off the streets.

"If it hadn’t been for that volunteer, I wouldn’t be playing professional football today.”

Africa Foundation Stone is part of a diaspora volunteering programme run by VSO and the Department for International Development that tries to engage members of the African and Asian community in the UK to encourage international volunteering.

The programme helps local organisations send volunteers to their continent of origin, engaging them in the fight against poverty.

Valentin Yombo-Djema, founder and CEO of Africa Foundation Stone, said: "Local action does make a difference - whether it’s volunteering or donating money and books."