AN ENGLAND footballer will be heading a fundraising campaign to support disadvantaged young people in Hertfordshire.

Hitchin boy and Arsenal star Jack Wilshere is the patron of the newly-launched charity Our Patch.

The charity has been created to support children who may have emotional, behavioural and social skills difficulties.

The fundraising launch took place on Monday.

Our Patch is working with North Herts Educational Support Centre (NHESC) over two sites, in Hitchin and Letchworth GC, supporting young people from a wide area of Hertfordshire.

Fundraiser Maggie Hackney said: “We are aiming to raise enough money to build a clubhouse that can be used for sport, fitness and drama.

“Both sites need extended facilities and would really benefit from some new, reliable transport. We also hope to create an educational fund for extra-curricular activities.”

If anyone belongs to an organisation that might be able to help by sponsoring an event, donating an auction prize, or having any fundraising ideas the team at Our Patch would like to hear from them.

Head of NHESC Julie Vernon-Hamilton said: “We want to extend the educational and social opportunities for these young people through participation in sport and fitness, art, health-awareness programmes and community projects. “We would like to thank Our Patch for all their support in helping to make this achievable.”

To find out more about Our Patch visit www.ourpatchcharity.co.uk