Members of the Middlesbrough FC first-team squad spent their Tuesday afternoon putting smiles on faces as they visited five different community events hosted by MFC Foundation, spanning across Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar and Darlington.
Captain George Friend said about the the squad’s afternoon with the Foundation:
“The players are always delighted to get out into the local community and help support the programmes delivered by the Foundation.
“I have visited a number of different events hosted by the Foundation during my time here, and it’s always a great feeling to see the joy on people’s faces when we walk through the door.
“We have fans all over Teesside, from school to care homes, and it’s important to give a little back and have some fun with them at the same time.”
Take a look below at some of the events:
ADULT DISABILITY FOOTBALL
Jonny Howson, Ashley Fletcher and Ryan Shotton joined in with over 30 adults from local day care centres for an afternoon of football with MFC Foundation coaches at the Herlingshaw Centre in South Bank.
The trio helped deliver a coaching session for the groups who attend weekly sessions with the Foundation thanks to funding from BT and the Premier League.
RAISE YOUR GAME
Over in the Players’ Lounge at the Riverside Stadium, Britt Assombalonga and Darren Randolph got creative with pupils from Thornaby Academy who were taking part in the Raise Your Game programme.
In partnership with British Land and Teesside Park, the Boro duo helped the children design food stalls, with the programme helping young people to find out more about pathways from school to work, and to help improve their confidence, problem solving skills and interviewing techniques.
#IWILL PROGRAMME
Moving across to Stockton, George Friend and Daniel Ayala surprised a class of pupils with learning difficulties from Abbey Hill School during their #iWill session with the Foundation.
The two defenders were helping the group with their social action project of creating Easter hampers for local charities, as they painted and designed handmade crafts, packaged sweet treats and even created and signed some homemade cards.
PREMIER LEAGUE PRIMARY STARS
Stewart Downing was over at John Emmerson Batty Primary School in Redcar to join a Premier League Primary Stars session, but with a twist.
Downing joined Reception pupils for a number of different sporting activities, as well as learning some sign language to help connect with one girl in the class, who struggles with her communication skills.
CLUB TOGETHER
Jon Obi Mikel, George Saville, Mo Besic, Lewis Wing and first team coach Curtis Fleming welcomed thirteen members of the Foundation’s Club Together programme for refugees and asylum seekers to the Rockliffe Training Complex.
The players and Fleming gave the group a behind-the-scenes tour of the facilities, before delivering a series of football drills for them in the sports hall. The visit finished with a Q&A session, with the players and Club Together participants swapping stories and sharing laughs in the club restaurant.
