Richard McEnery grew up in Spain, born to a Zambian father and an English mother with an extraordinary spirit for giving back. His mother founded multiple charities across Spain — supporting elderly women, animal welfare, and co-founding Help for Africa with Richard and two friends, raising funds for local schools in Morocco.
After a career as a British Royal Marine Commando and later building and selling a successful risk management company based in London, Richard turned his life — and that of his family — toward philanthropy and purpose.
Arriving in South Africa with his South African wife and two children, there was no plan to start a football academy. The family already ran the Invite Wildlife Fund, supporting local conservation. But when Richard witnessed the raw potential of children from around Cape Town, he knew he had a role to play in giving them a chance to follow their dreams.
Rising Stars was born.
