The various groups who have benefited from the club's involvement in the Creating Chances initiative came to celebrate their success at the recent Barclays Premier League match with Everton.

Creating Chances is aimed at highlighting the commitment United and fellow clubs have towards the local community and charities.

Through Newcastle United's involvement alone, no fewer than 29 organisations have received financial backing totalling more than £60,000 through the Barclays Premier League's flagship good causes programme, and many have also enjoyed having Magpies stars take time out from training to join in with their activities.

In total, 500 charities and good causes nationwide have benefited from £1million pounds in Premier League donations and the involvement of 200 players.

The recent Everton match saw two representatives from each of Newcastle United's selected charities and community groups invited as VIP guests to St James' Park where they met chairman Chris Mort and manager Sam Allardyce.

Pre-match hospitality in Club St James' was laid on before everyone watched the thrilling 3-2 win from the Sovereign Club seats in the Milburn Stand.

amazing effort

Chairman Chris Mort said: "Many of our players have been out working for a number of charities and community groups as part of Creating Chances.

"The day was really a chance for Newcastle United to thank the individuals who run these charities for the amazing effort they put in to their work for charity.

"Although we all lead busy lives, it is always very humbling to meet individuals who devote so much of their time to charitable work.

"I hope their day at St James' Park helped give them a sense of the appreciation we have for their considerable efforts, which often go unnoticed and unrewarded."

As part of the venture, groups were invited to bid to 'win' a Newcastle United star for a day as part of the 'Places For Players' programme.

Eight 'Places For Players' spots were up for grabs. Three were for NUFC Community partners - Newcastle Education Welfare Service, Macmillan Cancer Support and the St Vincent de Paul Society - and three were for national winners through an application and selection process, with Guide Dogs For the Blind, Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Meningitis UK chosen.

The final two 'Places For Players' events were for NUFC Charity Partners with Children North East and the Percy Hedley Foundation benefiting.