A HOMELESS worker from Luton will be mingling with the stars at the V-inspired awards in London next Friday.
Luke Bland, who works for charity LAMP, was nominated for setting up a football team for LAMP’s clients.
The 26-year-old won the regional final for outstanding contribution to youth volunteering and is now in the national final on March 17.
Luke said: “It’s really nice to be recognised for something. I was nominated by one of the players and if I win it will be for them.
“The other two finalists have done some amazing things and a football team doesn’t seem like much in comparison but for some of the players it’s all they have.”
Luke said: “I am really excited. I have watched people perform at the 02 and I never in a million years thought I would be attending an awards ceremony there. There’s going to be so many celebrities there which makes me quite nervous.
“I’ve got no idea who I’m going to take with me or what to wear but I need to make sure I look dapper.”
When Luke started working for LAMP three years ago, he realised there was not much for the clients to do.
He said football gives them self-esteem and confidence.
Luke, who was once a client himself, has seen his footballers go from strength to strength, and last year one of his players even represented England in the Homelessness World Cup in Brazil.
Luke said: “I want to develop the project into a national homeless league so that the players can travel around and meet other people in similar circumstances to them.”
“Football is just something that people can relate to. This is the first project I’ve done and I’m really happy it has gone so well.”