Paul Huntington and Brad Potts were at Ribbleton Avenue Infants School on World Book day [Thursday 3rd March] to deliver books and Preston North End matchday programmes to pupils.
As part of World Book Day, Preston North End Community and Education Trust [PNECET] delivered 300 brand-new free books to its partner schools across Preston, including at Ribbleton Infants.
Books are being donated for schools to add to their libraries and benefit the development of children’s reading skills across Preston.
The added bonus at Ribbleton Infants was the presence of Huntington and Potts, who made the visit to the school as part of the Premier League Primary Stars programme – utilising the power and appeal of the club combined with cross-curricular learning to inspire children.
Huntington and Potts answered questions from children in an exclusive question and answer session, including some about the importance of reading and their own favourite books, as well as delivering the books to the school.
They also gifted children with free copies of Preston North End matchday programmes from the 2021/22 season.
Huntington said: “It’s been nice to meet the kids and answer their questions on World Book Day. It’s nice to give something back just talking about the football club and meeting kids that perhaps have come to games or are going to come down to Deepdale and watch.
“I really enjoyed coming to the school and it was just to give back because we enjoy doing this sort of thing.”
Ribbleton Infants teacher Mrs Lingard explained how the visit would support the school’s pupils.
She said: “They [the children] had prepared questions and it was really lovely for them to meet real-life footballers, they had a really nice time.
“They were already excited to take the books out and even to have a look at them in the classroom. They will be able to go home and show the grown-ups that they’ve got books and they will just be so excited, it’s really lovely for them to have so many different things.”
She also explained the impact the Primary Stars programme, delivered by PNECET, is having on pupils every week.
Mrs Lingard continued: “It’s brilliant, they love having the coaching. They come in and ask, ‘Is it our day for coaching [with PNECET] today?’
“In the coaching lessons, they get a mixture of different things – we’ve been doing dance and gymnastics – and they’re really lovely getting a broad variety of different sports and different things.”
For more information about the Trust’s Primary Stars provision, please email jack.mountain@pne.com.