Sean Longstaff: “It’s important to keep learning how we can improve our environmental sustainability”

Ahead of Earth Day this Saturday, Sean Longstaff has taken part in a sustainability lesson at Newcastle United Foundation, learning from a group of pupils who are set to represent the club’s charity as they compete in a national competition.

The Magpies midfielder, who is an Ambassador for Newcastle United Foundation, attended NUCASTLE, powered by Newcastle Building Society, to learn about the impact of climate change and how the Premier League Inspires programme aims to educate schoolchildren through a number of challenges.

Longstaff met with pupils from Duke’s Secondary School, whose winning idea on the sustainability project was to reuse old pallets from St. James’ Park and transform them into ‘birdboxes’ and ‘bug hotels’ to increase natural habitats and improve biodiversity, with the recycled boxes being housed along the wildlife corridor between the club’s Training Centre and Academy.

Commenting on the project, Longstaff said: “Its great to see creativity in the classroom and how little changes and ideas can make a big impact.

“There is so much more that can be done to improve environmental sustainability and everybody can play a part so it’s important to keep learning about this, no matter what your age.

“Every time I come to Newcastle United Foundation I meet pupils who are achieving new things and the work that is being done continues to be incredible. I always come away learning something new and this session really impressed me to know that these are all being made from wood and materials that get used at St. James’ Park on matchdays. I enjoyed learning about this as well as getting stuck in to make my own birdbox. I’ll be keeping an eye out for it at the training ground!”

Newcastle United Foundation has been taking part in Premier League Inspires since its launch in 2019. The programme is aimed at young people aged between 11-25 with the ambition to Improve children and young peoples’ personal and practical skills, and awareness of business and careers.

More than 500 young people across the North East have engaged with the programme delivered by the Foundation and have taken part in the annual Premier League Inspires Challenge contest. Pupils from Duke’s Secondary School will be sharing their winning social action project alongside the Foundation at a national Premier League Inspires celebration event this summer.

Earth Day takes place on 22 April every year with the aim to raise awareness and support for the planet’s environment and how it can be protected.

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