text: Newcastle United's Sean Longstaff named ambassador for club's charity after breakthrough campaign - Chronicle Live
  Sean Longstaff has been working closely with the Newcastle United Foundation since suffering from a knee injury last month
  Updated 17:10, 2 APR 2019
  Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff has been named as an ambassador for the club's charity following a magnificent breakthrough season at St James' Park.
  The 21-year-old Geordie has made 12 appearances in all competitions for the Magpies this term, and had established himself as a first-team regular before suffering a knee-ligament injury against West Ham United last month.
  During his time on the sidelines, Academy graduate Longstaff has become closely involved with the club's charity, and the Newcastle United Foundation have confirmed that the midfielder has been appointed as an ambassador for the charity, joining fellow Magpie Ayoze Perez in holding such a role.
  On Tuesday afternoon, Longstaff visited the Great North Children's Hospital at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) as part of the NUFC Foundation's patient support programme – which is run in co-operation with the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation – and was named as an ambassador as he met with children in the wards.
  The project delivers tailored sporting and education programmes to young cancer patients, and it also provides additional support to their families and siblings.
  Longstaff became inspired to get involved with the Foundation's work after reading about youngster James Geddes in the United matchday programme.
  James, who was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of 16, lives next door to Longstaff – and he has benefitted from the Foundation's support, and has thrived since living hospital as a result of a series of employability projects run by the charity.
  Speaking after meeting patients at the RVI, Longstaff said: "This is my first visit to a Foundation event, and it's fantastic to see the impact they [the charity] are having on young patients and their families here at Great North Children's Hospital.
  Engaging with more than 54,000 children, young people and adults on an annual basis, the Newcastle United Foundation delivers education, health and employability projects across the North East, as well as football coaching and mentoring.
  After Longstaff was confirmed as an ambassador for the club's charity, Kate Bradley, head of NUFC Foundation, said: "We're thrilled to have Sean's support; as a young Geordie lad representing his local club in the Premier League, he is a hero and role model to so many of the people we work with.
  "It means a lot that he wants to be more involved and help raise awareness of our work in the community.
  "We're really excited to be working more closely with Sean, and getting him involved in some exciting future plans."
  Lady Elsie Robson, widow of former Newcastle manager Sir Bobby, added: "We're thrilled by how well this project is goiong. To face cancer at any age is a difficult thing, but it's especially hard for young patients and they deserve all the help we can give them.
  "We're very proud to be working in partnership with Newcastle United Foundation, and we've had great support from Sunderland's Foundation of Light, and Middlesbrough's Foundation, too.
  "I know Bob would be very proud that we've been able to fund this, and we're so glad it's making such a difference."
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