TWO of Tees Valley’s footballing heroes from its two biggest clubs have agreed to be ambassadors for the National Citizen Service (NCS).

THE NCS is a national organisation that helps 16 and 17-year-olds contribute to their community and Middlesbrough FC’s George Friend and Hartlepool Utd’s Padraig Amond have signed up to the cause.

The players are among 40 footballers from across the country to agree to be ambassadors.

Padraig Amond has already took part in a St John’s Ambulance First Aid Course in the club’s Centenary Suite, Padraig was on hand to act as a casualty for teenagers to test their new skills on.

George Friend will continue his work alongside Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation and NCS by visiting school assemblies and young people on NCS programmes.

Mr Friend said: “I’m really proud to be chosen. I think NCS is brilliant. It gives young people the chance to experience a variety of activities and challenges whilst building new friendships and benefitting the local community.”