Manchester pupil meets King Charles

Image: St Paul's Catholic High School

Source: St Paul's Catholic High School

Saint Paul's Catholic High School in Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester was delighted when their pupil, Paddy Martin, had the wonderful opportunity of meeting King Charles and the Queen Consort.

We were delighted that Saint Paul's pupil, Paddy, got to meet King Charles and the Queen Consort when he recently visited Wythenshawe and called into Marcus Rashford's old youth club, Norbrook, in Northern Moor. The King sat next to our Year 11 pupil, Paddy, and chatted to him in a very relaxed and friendly way, about what he's been doing at Norbrook Youth Club.

The King and Queen Consort spent about an hour at Norbrook, where they met with young people from the NatWest Thrive Programme, supported by the Manchester United player Marcus Rashford. The royal party heard about how the innovative programme supports and guides young people in developing a positive attitude to money and money management, as well as encouraging them to reach their full potential.

The Royal party were accompanied by the England manager and Prince's Trust ambassador, Gareth Southgate, and were able to hear from local young people, including Paddy, who've been supported by the Trust, as well as leaning about the youth club's efforts to encourage a love of reading by making books more accessible. The guests also saw the formal unveiling of a library donated to the centre by the Marcus Rashford Book Club, in partnership with the National Literacy Trust.

Paddy commented: "It was wonderful to meet the King and the Queen Consort, I couldn't believe it when King Charles came to sit next to me! All the visitors seemed very interested in what we had to say about the activities we had been involved with at the youth club. It was a very special day which I will always remember!"

Norbrook Youth Club was established more than 60 years ago and offers a safe and friendly environment for young people from age 6 to 18 to enjoy free and diverse weekly activity sessions. The club fosters health and wellbeing through a wide range of activities that allows young people to develop, have fun and make friends.

"We are all extremely proud of Paddy, he's a wonderful ambassador for Saint Paul's," said Mr Alex Hren, Headteacher at Saint Paul's. "This was an amazing opportunity for him and he came over very well chatting to the King and Queen Consort in a very relaxed, friendly and informative manner. Well done Paddy!"

LINKS

Saint Paul's Catholic High School: www.st-paulshigh.net