The Newcastle United Foundation is to work with the Great North Children’s Hospital Foundation and use football to provide outreach to children and families affected by chronic conditions.

A project co-ordinator will be jointly funded by the organisations for two years, and he or she will support children who are in treatment or remission and their siblings, to help them reach their own personal goals.

The project co-ordinator will be employed by the football club’s Foundation and will work closely with their counterparts at the hospital to deliver a range of activities for children and young people with chronic conditions.

The Foundation say the role will build on its ability to connect with young people and families; support young people to improve their skills on and off the sports field, and develop skills that are transformational; and finally to create unforgettable experiences through the club.

The Newcastle United Foundation has been delivering a similar programme funded by the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation for children with cancer and their families since June 2017.

The club's former goalkeeper Steve Harper has visited the programme. He said: "When you see kids suffering from leukaemia, from cancer, it puts things in perspective. It really does ground you in what’s important in life."

The new project-coordinator is expected to start in Autumn.