CLARETS winger George Boyd has taken a senior role in the latest Burnley FC community scheme.

The current player of the year has become an ambassador for the Active Clarets programme, which delivers a wide range of health and wellbeing services to Burnley and its surrounding boroughs.

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Formed in April this year, the scheme encourages residents to become more active by putting on weekly men’s weight management activities, a healthy eating schools programme, weekly activities for over 50s at Turf Moor, free health checks, adult mental health services and disability sports provision.

The Clarets forward said he was delighted to support the charity’s work.

He said: “It’s great to come on board and support the work of Burnley FC in the community and if I can help encourage people become more active and healthier, then that’s a real positive for us.”

Health and wellbeing manager at the programme, Abby Turner, said having Mr Boyd support the scheme gave it a big boost.

She said: “It’s great to see a player like George showing his support and becoming an ambassador.

“We do have issues in Burnley regarding health and gaining support from popular figures can only help spread the word and highlight what we want to achieve.

“We provide health checks on match days at Turf Moor for free and supporters can attend on a drop in basis and find out their body fat percentage, hydration levels and their physical body age.

“We help a wide range of people and we get a mix of ages coming down for checks which is good to see as there’s no age limit on looking after your health.”

Starting next year, the programme will start to work alongside the Royal Society of Public Health to train up individuals to become ‘Health Champions’.

The main responsibilities of these health champions will be to communicate key health messages to friends, family and the community to help highlight and tackle health-related issues.

The Health Champions course will take place at Turf Moor on January, 12, 14, and 19, 2016, from 6pm and 9pm.

To get involved with the Active Clarets Programme contact Abby on 01282 704716 or email a.turner@burnleyfc.com