Sterling's special delivery to Youth Zone
Reds winger Raheem Sterling paid a visit to the Toxteth Fire Fit Hub today to present them with a very special pool table.
The table, which has been housed at the club's Melwood training ground for several years and used by the players, includes signatures from Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, and manager Brendan Rodgers.
Sterling presented the table to 10 local young volunteers, including some from the Prince's Trust Team, run by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service at the Hub site, and managing director of the Hub, Sara Lawton.
Afterwards he enjoyed a quick game of pool with the young volunteers and watched them play a game of five-a-side on the centre's outdoor pitches.
The Toxteth Fire Fit Hub, located in Upper Warrick Street, Toxteth, provides young people from across Liverpool with access to world-class facilities in a safe, stimulating and fun environment. The Hub has a youth volunteer group who have been instrumental to the development of the centre and planning activities to be held at the site.
As part of the Myplace scheme, a Youth Zone at the hub has been created with sporting facilities, including a sports hall, gym, dance studio, astro turf football pitches and chill out zone, which young people across the city can benefit from.
As one of the Liverpool FC Foundation's recognised youth centres, the hub works alongside them to deliver community programmes in Toxteth.
Sterling said: "It was a pleasure to present the pool table to the Toxteth Fire Fit Hub today on behalf of the Liverpool FC Foundation. I am sure lots of young people that attend the hub will enjoy playing on it for many years to come."
The table, which is a genuine unique piece of sporting memorabilia, was also presented with a certificate of authenticity from Liverpool Football Club.
Mark Haig, Liverpool FC Foundation's head of operations, said: "The Hub is a worthy recipient of this special pool table. Like the Liverpool FC Foundation, they are committed to helping young people in the local community to thrive and achieve through various projects that they can own and run themselves."
Sara Lawton, managing director at Toxteth Fire Fit Hub, added: "This pool table is a fantastic addition to our facility and I would like to thank the Liverpool FC Foundation for their very generous donation and recognition of the importance of our provision. I am expecting the table to generate a lot of interest with our young people and I am sure there will be many who want the first chance to play on it."
A charitable company has been set up to run the new Toxteth Fire Fit Hub, which opened its doors earlier this year. For more information on events and activities at the Hub call 0151 296 6800.