Patrick Bamford took part in a special Leeds United Foundation event recently, with two local schools paying a visit to Elland Road through our Positive Choices programme.

Young students from Greenhill Primary School and Corpus Christi Catholic College were all in attendance for the event, with different age groups from both schools enjoying an exclusive stadium tour before being surprised by the Leeds United striker with the chance to ask him some questions around choice-making.

Bamford was on hand to do a Q and A session with both groups, with each student given the chance to ask a question around his education and career choices, along with decisions that have impacted him and those around him. During the two sessions, the children were also able to get something signed by Patrick before having photos with him and asking him some more football-related questions.

Following the visit at Elland Road Patrick Bamford spoke to LUTV, and he said: “The work the Foundation does is so important, and in turn it’s really important that we can support the work they are doing. The kids were asking how a choice I’ve made has impacted where I am today and it’s just important that you can get them to think about each decision they make and that it can have a positive or negative outcome depending on the choice they’ve made.

“Being a one club city, a lot of them look up to Leeds United players, and so if we’re able to make an impact on young minds and young lives then that’s really special and I really enjoy coming along to things like this and being able to do that.”

The Choices programme is delivered by coaches from the club’s official charity in both primary and secondary schools, with special events usually hosted on-site at the schools that encourage pupils to make positive choices and to think about the impact their choices may have on their futures. During the events external speakers are also on hand to deliver presentations and chat with the children about different scenarios and some of their own lived experiences to offer them a different perspective, and hopefully enable them to learn from their mistakes.

If you would like any further information around the Primary Choices and Positive Choices programmes, please contact Luke.Irwin@leedsunited.com.

To take a look at a video from their special day including the visit from Patrick Bamford, please click here.