Preston North End players Jordan Storey and Ali McCann paid a special visit to Greenlands Primary School to speak with children about the importance of healthy eating, as part of EFL Week of Action.
The pair answered a variety of questions about what they typically eat throughout the week, how they look after their bodies and what it is like representing Preston North End, before signing autographs and posing for pictures.
The visit was part of Preston North End Community and Education Trust’s [PNECET] 'PASTA' session, which stands for Play and Skills at Tea Time Activities.
Designed to support healthy lifestyles through a range of fun and interactive activities centred around diet and exercise, the programme engages families with children between five and eight-years-old, to help them to learn to cook six different recipes over the course of six weeks.
“It was really good to come here today and speak to the children about the importance of nutrition and having a healthy, balanced diet,” explained Storey.
“Especially at their young age, if they can pick up these positive habits from early on.
"The advice I gave them was to make sure they're eating their greens and to try and have a good breakfast such as porridge or weetabix, to set them up for the day.
"Pasta with a bit of chicken and tomato or mushroom sauce is another simple meal if their parents or guardians could support with this.”
Speaking more broadly on the power of PNECET's work across Preston and surrounding areas, Storey said: "I think Preston North End Community and Education Trust does so many good things with the younger and older generations, from different backgrounds, and sometimes it can go under the radar. The Trust helps bring the city together and coming to events such as these is the least that we as players can do in terms of giving back."
"I think Preston North End Community and Education Trust does so many good things with the younger and older generations, from different backgrounds, and sometimes it can go under the radar. The Trust helps bring the city together and coming to events such as these is the least that we as players can do in terms of giving back."
Participant Kealan, who attends the PASTA sessions each week, talked about his delight at meeting the PNE stars.
“When my teacher told me the players were coming, I was so excited!" he said.
“I asked them why we should eat vegetables and they said it’s good for giving us energy and keeping us healthy.
“I play football and basketball at school so I need lots of energy to play well!”
For more information on the PASTA programme, please email grace.birtwell@pne.com
Stay tuned to pnecommunity on social media for more updates on EFL Week of Action.