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Footballer's flying visit to school

8/10/2008

ENGLAND and Everton footballer Phil Neville made a flying visit to St Anne’s RC School in Heaton Chapel to thank pupils for taking part in a fundraising initiative in aid of The New Children’s Hospital Appeal.

The Everton captain landed at the school in a helicopter as part of a whistle stop tour of four north west schools to hear about the youngsters plans for Wear What U Want Day on Friday, October 10 – an event in which pupils have been encouraged to pay just £1 in return for being able to ditch their uniform for the day.

All schools that registered to participate in the non uniform day were entered into a draw to become one of four schools to receive a flying visit from the footballer, who along with his wife Julie, is a patron of the appeal.

They became patrons after doctors at St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, saved the life of their baby daughter Isabella when she was born 10 weeks prematurely.

Headteacher Helen Kelly met Phil and Julie after they landed in an Agusta 109 Grand helicopter.

Mrs Kelly said: "We are delighted to be supporting The New Children’s Hospital Appeal and I’m sure our pupils enjoyed grilling a premiership footballer."

Pupils from years 7 to 11 got the opportunity to pose quick fire questions to the football star, followed by a brief talk from Julie.

Phil said: "Wear What U Want Day is a great opportunity for children to have fun, ditch their school uniforms and help a very special charity at the same time. Each child will be asked to make a donation of just £1 to the charity for being able to wear their own clothes to school for a day."

The New Children’s Hospital Appeal aims to raise £20 million to provide the new children’s hospital with state-of-the-art equipment to help doctors provide patients with the very best in diagnosis and care.

The Appeal also aims to provide parental accommodation facilities so that parents can stay close to their child during treatment.