HRH The Princess Royal visited MFC Foundation this afternoon to witness some of the charities life-changing programmes at the Riverside Stadium.
As part of HRH’s visit to Teesside, The Princess arrived at the Willie Maddren Education Centre in the stadium’s East Stand at 2.15pm, and was greeted by the Foundation’s Chair of Trustees, Ray Mallon, Head of Foundation, Helena Bowman, Chair of Middlesbrough Council, Cllr Stephen Bloundele and Member of Parliament for Middlesbrough, Andy McDonald MP.
The Princess Royal began her tour of the Foundation by witnessing pupils from Northallerton School taking part in activities which encourage young people to engage in social action within their local community.
The students completed a number of activities centring on personal and community profiling, combatting anti-social behaviour, and what it means to be a good and active citizen.
From the classroom to the pitch, the tour continued outside to the Riverside Stadium turf, where coaches on the Stepping Up transition programme delivered an educational P.E. lesson using numeracy and literacy to Year 7 pupils from Foundation partner school, Unity City Academy.
Dated: 01/10/18 North News & Pictures
Stepping Up is a unique programme to MFC Foundation which aims to provide a positive catalyst to better prepare children stepping up from primary to secondary school. The programme is funded by the Premier League, Professional Footballers Association (PFA), as well as both Middlesbrough Council and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council.
The main objectives are to prepare children for the social and emotional aspects of transition through a programme that uses the inspirational draw of a professional football club and the staff team associated to it.
Her Royal Highness’ visit was completed by greeting local business men and women who are supporters of the Foundation, as well as members of the charities’ board and workforce.
Dated: 01/10/18 North News & Pictures
Helena Bowman said: “I am delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness to MFC Foundation.
“It is a wonderful occasion to showcase some of the fantastic work we do in the local community of Teesside, which benefits both children and adults in many of the deprived wards of the region.
“I hope that the Princess Royal enjoyed her visit to Teesside and MFC Foundation.”
Over the past 22 years, MFC Foundation have reinvested more than £25 million in the local community, and engaged with more than 500,000 people on Teesside. Together, they strive to inspire hope, and inspire confidence.