Local charities and schools have the chance to ‘win’ a Middlesbrough player through Boro’s unique Community Champions scheme.

The second year of Community Champions will see three groups of Boro stars make personal appearances to help local charities and good causes raise awareness of their projects and create fundraising opportunities.

Under a motto of ‘The heart of the community’, Boro are renowned for their charitable work.

Boro stars made 470 community appearances last year, while the club’s community project is recognised as one of the biggest and best in the country.

Now any charity, community programme or school can apply for a Boro star to highlight their work between Monday February 28 and Friday April 29.

Boro promise that the most innovative ideas for community events – particularly activities that will make great shots for TV cameras and press photographers – will have the best chance of winning.

Three winning applications – including one school - will not only get a member of Tony Mowbray’s first team squad for a publicity event but will also receive a Boro shirt signed by the Boro players and 10 tickets for a first team game at the Riverside.

Three runners-up will also receive 10 Boro match tickets for their charity or good cause.

Diane O’Connell, Boro’s Supporter Services Officer, said: “This is a unique opportunity for local charities to gain some fantastic publicity.

“We regularly work with organisations such as Teesside Hospice and Butterwick Children’s Hospice, while last year we paid visits to the Shaw Trust in Stockton, Daisy Chain in Norton and Sunnyside Primary School in Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough.”

The visits gained publicity on local and regional TV and radio together with newspapers and websites.

“We’d love to hear from our previous winners or charity groups that we haven’t previously worked with,” added Diane. “We will pick out those who come up with the most innovative ways to utilise a Boro player.”

But the message is clear – don’t delay. The deadline for applications is Wednesday February 16.

Application forms are available by emailing diane.o’connell@mfc.co.uk or by calling the club on 01642 757655.