In Portugal with Steven Gerrard

The 31-year-old's remarkable journey has been fuelled by talent - a talent which has earned him fame and fortune.

Now, as he follows Jamie Carragher into the period of his career when his name will often be preceded by the word veteran, Gerrard has decided to use those two assets to help children whose backgrounds are not so different from his own, but whose fate has not been blessed in the same way.

And so we have The Steven Gerrard Foundation, established in February to aid charities like Fairbridge, Claire House and Zoe's Place.

Its first event - The Steven Gerrard Foundation Trophy - was staged under a cloudless sky at Laranjal Golf Course in Quinta do Lago, just a few miles from our skipper's holiday home on the Algarve.

"I'd seen what Jamie had done with his foundation and I wanted to do a similar thing to give more help to the kids in our area, the kids that need it," Gerrard told Liverpoolfc.tv during a chat by the clubhouse.

"People in a position like myself - it's alright being comfortable in your own life but if you are, you've got to try and help people who need it. I come from a council estate background but things have changed for me and I'm in a position to help other people.

"You have experiences through your career - you visit hospitals, you see the kids and it has an impact on you. You go home and feel for them. You look at it and think, 'Now's the time for me to give something back.'

"You mature as a person and I've probably got four or five years left of my career. Now's a good time while I've still got my name in the game."

People with a few quid to spare paid to join a celebrity in a team of four, while money was also raised with a gala dinner as guests drew their chequebooks to compete for James Bond's tuxedo, a coaching session with Rafael Nadal, a round of golf with Gerrard and Kenny Dalglish and loads of other once-in-a-lifetime lots.

Among the famous faces leading teams were John Bishop, John Arne Riise, AP McCoy and Harry Kewell.

Gerrard, who plays off a handicap of 12, told us that his own preparations were disrupted by injury - and he was equally dismissive of Carra's chances of claiming a first piece of silverware since 2006.

"Certainly not me or Jamie Carragher," he said when asked about favourites to win. "I'll be happy if Carra just finishes to be honest, he's not really a golfer."

Those who witnessed the defender's first shot trickle 20 yards into the rough would concur, though in the interests of balance, Liverpoolfc.tv was on hand to note a sublime tee shot on the 10^th hole.

Having shared a dressing room with him for seven years, Didi Hamann (handicap 16) knows Carra well enough to be wary.

"I don't know why he plays because when he's in the rough he just kicks it out," said the 37-year-old.

"He says, 'What's the point playing from behind a tree?' I say, 'That's the game.' We'll have to look at his score after the game. If he's scored more points than me we'll have to look at his card."

Told of Hamann's accusations, Carragher was typically frank.

"There is no chance of me looking for a ball," he admitted. "I'm here to enjoy myself, not look for balls. But we won't tell anyone else."

One man not involved in the golf but present to offer support - and memorabilia for the auction - was boxer Ricky Hatton.

Since his last bout against Manny Pacquiao in 2009, Hatton has busied himself with promotion and some charity work of his own, and despite hailing from the wrong side of the East Lancs Road, the former world champion believes he has much in common with his Scouse host.

"Man City fans and Liverpool fans get along alright - it's Liverpool and Man United supporters who have the problem," said Hatton.

"Stevie was born and raised in Liverpool like I was born and raised in Manchester and we've both stayed close to our roots. Now we're trying to give something back.

"I'm a father like Stevie's a father and it's one of the best ways to support charity - helping children who are less fortunate than others.

"It's alright winning your medals and belts but if you don't give something back I don't think you're doing your job as a professional."

Aside from the golf, the event reunited some old friends such as Kewell and Riise. The two were close during their time at Melwood but playing in different countries makes it difficult to remain in regular contact.

"It was good to catch up with some of them last night - Stephen Warnock, Jamie Carragher and Ginge," said Kewell.

"Ginger is playing off (a handicap of) nine, which I'm astounded by!"

Also among the old boys was Jamie Redknapp, whose injuries led to more first-team opportunities for Gerrard at the start of his career.

"It was good to be with some of the old players," our ex-midfielder said. "It makes you want to be back playing. There are times when I wish I could still play with Steven.

"I wish I could have played with him more. Looking at the way he plays, it would have been a joy. He's one of those players who you give it to and they get on with it. He will go down as one of the greats - there are no two ways about it.

"He's one of those guys who you meet along the way in football who's a top man and a top player. When you're in a privileged position it's nice to give something back - but a lot don't. For him to take that opportunity - he deserves a lot of respect for that. He's just a thoroughly good fella, it's as simple as that. He enjoys the fact he's doing something like this and he's had a great turnout."

The event culminated in a banquet with comedy from John Bishop, whose stand-up proved better than his golf.

"Playing golf seemed a good idea but then I went out last night," he joked when we grabbed him earlier in the day. "I've got a raging hangover and I just want to curl up. [Laughs] It'd rather just send them a few quid and go back to bed!

"But no, this isn't about the people here today, it's for people who we haven't met. Hopefully this can make that bit of difference that changes the direction of a kid's life.

"It's a reflection of Steven as a person - the same as it was with Jamie Carragher. If you look at the club, you've got Kenny supporting the Marina charity, Jamie and Steven and the other things the lads have done. That's a great message for professional footballers to show they are giving something back."

Bishop's act was among the highlights of the event, including his faux shock that Hatton and Joey Barton had been in the same room and no one got punched.

Like Gerrard, Barton grew up in Huyton and now has a second home in Portugal - and like Gerrard he believes it's important not to forget your roots.

"Steven is in a very privileged position as a professional sportsman - as we all are," said the Newcastle midfielder. "We are fortunate to do a job we love and get very well paid for it so it's nice to be able to give something back to those who are less fortunate.

"Golf maybe comes a little more naturally to me than football - I actually enjoy golf all year round and I can't always say the same about football. Some results get you down - but even when I don't play well at golf I'm still quite jovial."

Despite playing a cheeky nine holes with DJ Spoony the previous day, Barton (handicap six) was not among the leaders when the results came in. Nor was Didi Hamann - and unfortunately our cameras were not filming the German when the winners were announced.

There were groans of incredulity when Carragher's team were declared the winners with a score of 107 - though the 33-year-old swore under interrogation from Gerrard that there was no foul play.

Still, as a gesture of good will (or guilt) he donated the golf clubs he received as a prize for auction.

With the steward's inquiry still under way, the guests partied into the night, leaving Gerrard (who recorded the longest drive during the competition) to ponder what might be next for the foundation.

"The dream is to one day have a testimonial at Liverpool," he said. "Like Jamie did - giving all the money back to people who need it."

The Steven Gerrard Foundation works in consultation with its charitable partner, the Consortium for Street Children (CSC). For more information or to make a donation visit the SGF website.