There was a lot of charitable giving from the Newcastle United players who took part in some of the more inspired Creating Chances appearances:

  • To raise local awareness for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Abdoulaye Faye and David Rozehnal learnt how to be led by and to trust guide dogs, as well as how to eat a meal blindfolded.

  • Geremi and Obafemi Martins were involved in one of the more unusual Creating Chances activities. They helped staff pack bags at a local Asda store to raise money for Meningitis UK - a member of staff from the store died from meningitis.

  • Shay Given is a long-time supporter of Macmillan Cancer Support and he visited an after school youth club at the Gateshead Crossroads centre, part of Macmillan. Shay assisted in cookery, arts, photography and life skills workshops with the children.

  • Charles N'Zogbia and Habib Beye were also chefs. They helped prepare lunch for local children and took part in a Q&A with kids from Children North East, a charity that helps children from disadvantaged families.

    As well as being one of United's keepers, Steve Harper is a qualified referee. So for Newcastle Education Welfare Service Steve refereed a football tournament and presented prizes for children who had improved their attendance at school

    For further information on the club's every day community work please click here

    While the Creating Chances Launch was attended by Damien Duff, here follows a breakdown of Newcastle United's Creating Chances beneficiaries:

    PLACES FOR PLAYERS WINNERS

    Each of the following received a £2,000 donation and a player appearance:

    Cystic Fibrosis Trust - Mark Viduka
    Guide Dogs for the Blind Association - Cacapa David Rozehnal
    Meningitis UK - Geremi & Obafemi Martins

    CLUB COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES HIGHLIGHTED

    The following received a £2,000 donation and player appearances:

    Macmillan Cancer Support - Shay Given
    Newcastle Education Welfare Service - Stephen Harper
    St Vincent De Paul Society - Stephen Taylor & James Milner

    CLUB CHARITIES HIGHLIGHTED

    The following received a £2,000 donation and player appearances:

    Children NE - Charles N'zogbia & Habib Beye
    Percey Hedley Foundation - Celestine Babayaro & James Triosi

    PROMOTIONAL

    The following promotion work to support Creating Chances was undertaken:

    Winners & Runners Up at Stadium speech with manager (Chronicle) - Sam Allardyce

    NEWCASTLE UNITED PLACES FOR PLAYERS RUNNERS UP

    Each of the following received a £2,000 donation:

    Child Brain Injury Trust
    4 The Children's Foundation
    Depaul Trust
    East End Community Health Project
    Fairbridge
    Fleming Children's Trust
    The Great North Air Ambulance
    Henshaws Society for Blind People
    Hirst Welfare Centre
    The Linskill and North Tyneside Community
    Marie Curie Cancer Care
    ME North East
    Mobex North East
    Moving On Durham
    Northern Pinetree Trust
    Samaritans
    The Soundroom Community Music Project
    Stepney Bank Stables
    The Sunshine Fund
    West Gate Community College

    NEWCASTLE UNITED 'YOUR SHOT' COMPETITION WINNER

    Rolland Sanderson, aged 32 Northumberland, won the Newcastle United Your Shot Experience and was able to:

  • Have a personal stadium tour
  • Meet Team Manager before the match
  • Meet and have his photograph taken with first team squad members
  • Spend time with ground staff and the kit man
  • Free £100 bet on the day's match
  • Lead the teams out of the tunnel, have photo taken on centre circle with team captains
  • Meet the Chairman
  • Enjoy a pre-match meal
  • Feature in match programme and on website
  • Be interviewed by official website
  • Be invited to the players' lounge after the game
  • Take home the matchworn shirt of his favourite player
  • Attend post match press conference

    You can return to the Creating Chances index by clicking here