Alan Campbell, MP for Tynemouth and Lord Commissioner of the Treasury, visited John Spence Community High School to meet students involved in 'Sky Living For Sport', a national initiative that aims to use sport to inspire young people.

Mr Campbell met with Year 7 pupils involved in the initiative to discuss how much of an impact it has had on their lives and witness the work of students first hand at an orienteering competition that the pupils organised for a group of Year 3 and Year 4 pupils from Whitehouse Primary School.

He also heard from teachers and the Youth Sports Trust about how the initiative links these activities to personal targets to improve their performance in school and help boost their confidence.

Sky Living For Sport, organised by the Youth Sport Trust in partnership with BSkyB, is in its fifth year and has so far worked with 17,000 young people, aged 11 to 16 across the UK who are at risk of opting out of school.

A number of sporting heroes, led by Olympic gold medallist and Sky Living For Sport ambassador Darren Campbell act as positive role models for those involved.

Ben Stimson, director of responsibility and reputation at BSkyB, said: "With so many sporting heroes coming out of Tyneside, from Alan Shearer to Steve Cram and Brendan Foster to Steve Harmison, it is fantastic to see John Spence students using Sky Living For Sport to gain life skills which will help them excel on and off the field.

"We are delighted that Alan Campbell met with the students so he could see first hand the progress they have made."

Sue Campbell, chair of the Youth Sport Trust, says: "I should like to congratulate both the students and staff at John Spence Community High School for their enthusiasm and hard work in managing Sky Living For Sport.

"Having the opportunity to introduce Alan Campbell to those who have been taking part and highlight the success of Sky Living for Sport was a great opportunity for both the Youth Sport Trust and all those involved at the school."