SAFC new boy to meet soccer school youngsters

Black Cats midfielder Liam Lawrence is set to meet youngsters
participating in Sunderland AFC's summer schools at the Stadium of
Light.

The schools are part of the SAFC Foundation's 'Step Up' programme, aimed
at helping young people successfully complete the sometimes difficult
transition from primary school to senior school. The youngsters have
already completed a terms worth of coaching in their respective primary
schools and the Summer Schools give them the opportunity to meet and
interact with other young people from their new senior schools.

Liam will also be on hand to thank representative Andy Burns from bus
company Go North East, who have provided free bus miles, enabling the
children, who are from Easington, to take part in the scheme.

The children from schools across the Easington district will take part
in interactive activities based around literacy and numeracy and also
practical exercises, press activity, role play, match report writing and
an exercise session. Following the completion of the Summer School the
youngsters will attend voluntary sessions at their senior schools,
participating in activities on issues such as drugs awareness,
anti-bullying and peer pressure.

SAFC Foundation Development Manager Lesley Spuhler said: 'Although SAFC
Foundation has many programmes running from the Stadium of Light
classrooms, the cost of transportation can mean that groups
further-a-field may not always be able to participate. Thanks to
support from Caterpillar Peterlee who have funded the summer schools and
Go North East who have provided free transport for nine Easington
Primary Schools, this educationally valuable experience has been
possible for almost 90 children this summer.'

Andy Burns of Go North East said 'I am delighted that Go North East's
Community Bus Miles scheme is adding to the very positive impact that
SAFC Foundation's fantastic community programme is delivering. Its a
very simple but effective way for us to play our part in community
investment in the Sunderland and East Durham area'

Go North East bus miles have also been used for other SAFC Foundation
activity including a coalfields community scheme and week-long
footballing residential scheme in Berwick.