Middlesbrough FC Stars Support Community integrated Care!

Tees Alive, Community Integrated Care’s day service in Teesside, got the ultimate surprise last week when Middlesbrough Football Club captain, Grant Leadbitter and goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos joined them for a training session!

The session was a dream come true for many of the group, who are lifelong ‘Boro supporters. Their footballing heroes joined them in some shooting and passing practice, as well as teaching the group some penalty techniques! Grant and Dimi then joined in for a match against the Tees Alive Team, with the latter coming out as clear winners!

The special day was part of a series of weekly training sessions provided by Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation the group, who attend Tees Alive. The Middlesbrough FC Foundation is the club’s official charity and uses passion for football to make a real difference to the lives of local children, young people and families. Every year the Foundation works with more than 20,000 people across a number of sports, health, education and youth projects. Their work with Tees Alive has inspired the group to pursue their interest in football, even joining a local league!

After the session had concluded, Community Integrated Care made a special presentation to Claire Streeter, Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation’s Social Inclusion Coordinator in recognition of the Foundation’s continued support of Community Integrated Care. Andy Hood, Service Leader at Tees Alive presented Clare with a certificate confirming their ‘Friends of Community Integrated Care’ status – an honour only previously awarded to the charity’s Trustees.

Andy Hood said: “The impact these training sessions have had has been incredible – from confidence to communication, fitness to football skill – the group have come on in leaps and bounds. That is purely down to the team at Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation and their amazing work.”

“It was incredible to see the reactions from the team as they realised they were being joined by their heroes – it’s a day they’ll truly never forget! I can’t thank the team at the Foundation enough.”