FORMER Largs resident Lou Macari has earned national praise for his innovative approach to homelessness in Stoke-on-Trent.
The star footballer and manager, who lived in Largs as a teenager, created The Macari Foundation in 2016 to help tackle the problem in the city.
With the pandemic making homeless people especially vulnerable, Lou’s foundation opened a new centre with 25 individual accommodation pods for those most in need in the city.
The former footballer says the centre will be a huge boost to the city’s homeless but that there is still more than can be done.
Lou added: “We’ve come a long way over the past few months. A great amount of work has been done to provide the best possible accommodation for people who need it the most.
“My aim has always been to support those people who need help the most and I’m proud of the work that is being done."
The 22,500 square foot centre features 25 individual accommodation pods, with 12 self-contained en-suite rooms.
A host of big names have praised the former Celtic and Manchester United midfielder, including Gary Lineker and Piers Morgan.
Councillor Alex Gallagher, of the ruling Labour administration in North Ayrshire, says the innovative approach shown by the former Largs resident is worth keeping in mind.
He said: “I think that the initiative taken by Lou Macari may have some promise in future locally.
“I don't think it is needed in North Ayrshire at the moment, but it is always good to keep up with innovative thinking, especially ideas that could be adopted or adapted for other circumstances.”
Macari moved to Largs from London when he was nine years old and was scouted by Celtic after playing for Ayrshire county.
He turned professional in 1968 and five years later signed for Manchester United, where he went on to win numerous trophies before becoming a manager.
