Newcastle United's Yoshinori MutÅ hears how club charity inspires children with cancer
Newcastle United forward Yoshinori MutÅĀ has learned more about Newcastle United Foundationās work enriching the lives of young cancer patients and their families in the North East.
The Japanese international sat down with Newcastle United Foundationās Melissa Scott at St. Jamesā Park to find out how the clubās official charity works with patients and staff at Newcastleās Great North Childrenās Hospital.
Community Project Coordinator Melissa explained her role spending time with dozens of children and teenagers on the hospitalās paediatric oncology ward as they receive cancer care.
Melissaās work is only possible thanks to a special partnership between Newcastle United Foundation, Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Peopleās Postcode Lottery, a link MutÅ was keen to know more about.
Delivered byĀ Newcastle United Foundation with funding from the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and support from players of Peopleās Postcode Lottery, the project tailors sports and educational activities that also engage siblings and families with their loved one to ensure they are also supported.
Since the projectās launch in May 2017, young people and their families from the Great North Childrenās Hospital have visited St Jamesā Park and toured Sunderland AFC and Middlesbroughās grounds and training sites, completed halftime penalty shootouts at the stadium, become mascots for their favourite players, attended Premier Leagues matches and have enjoyed full match day experiences.
Dozens of teenagers and children have also completedĀ Newcastle United Foundationās 5-A-Side, Enterprise and Match Fit healthy living programmes.
For the third year of the scheme, players of the Peopleās Postcode Lottery will be jointly-funding the project following continued support for the organisation for the Newcastle Unitedās official charity arm.
After speaking to MutÅ about her role at the Foundation, Melissa said: āIt was great to sit down with Yoshi and tell him more about what we do and how we support young people with cancer and their families.
āHe was really interested to learn about our work in the Great North Childrenās Hospital, which is only five-minute walk away from the stadium at the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
āIt was great to explain that with extra support from players of Peopleās Postcode Lottery and their players for the third year of the project ā it means we can provide that respite for so many more children, their siblings and parents.
āAlongside the incredible care and treatment given by the hardworking NHS staff on site, we can continue to bring laughter and positivity to the paediatric oncology ward so young patients donāt miss out on their childhood.ā
Players of the Peopleās Postcode Lottery support various Newcastle United Foundation programmes through generous donations to: Fit Club for Over 50s, Great North Childrenās Hospital, Newcastle Panthers, NE1 Works, Volunteering, Women and Girls Football, and 5-A-Side Intervention.
For more information on Sir Bobby Robson Foundation’s work in the community, visit the charity’s website. To find out more about People’s Postcode Lottery, click here.
For more information on partnership opportunities
Email elaine.flynn@nufc.co.uk
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