Students and staff from Longsands Academy will be supporting Children in Need on Friday

Pupils will take part in various activities throughout the day, but the school’s principal, Martin Paine, will be stepping up in style to support Children in Need in a charity football match.

St Neots Town Football Club, which works in partnership with Longsands Academy to deliver a sports curriculum for post-16 students, were keen to support the event.

They have made their first team strip, the pitch and the club house available at no cost to the school.

Both teams will feature members of staff from across all school departments and the football club management team.

“The school community is looking forward to playing at the home of the Saints and we are delighted that the football club has offered to host the match,” said Mr Paine.

“Our students will see a very different side of their teachers when they step on to the pitch as many of them are not PE colleagues or have much experience on the pitch.

He continued: “While I can’t assure the quality of the play, I can guarantee a fun-filled evening with as much competitive spirit as any Premier League match or play-off final.

“As well as students and their families we would be delighted to welcome wider members of our community to come along and join us.”

Mark Taylor, who is head of the school’s sixth form department and also a player manager, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for students and teachers to raise money for such an important cause.

“Football is a passion and back in the day I enjoyed a career playing for the county. I am quietly confident that I have the experience to lead my team to success but would also like to add that I fully appreciate that it’s a friendly event.”

Entry to the game is £3 on the gate. Gates open at 4pm with kick-off at 5pm. Refreshments will be available throughout the evening.

INFO: If you are organising a Children in Need event on Friday, why not let the Hunts Post know. We are aiming to publish stories and photographs of events across the district in our newspaper and online.

Contact us by calling: 01480 411481 or e-mail: debbie.davies@archant.co.uk or katie.ridley@archant.co.uk. Photographs can also be emailed to the above e-mail addresses.