Shearer gets back in the saddle; Star officially opens new community centre

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), April 5, 2008

Byline: By GARETH DEIGHAN Industrial Reporter

AFTER scoring religiously for the Toon, Alan Shearer was on hand to officially open a refurbished church and community centre.

The ex-Newcastle United and Eng-land captain formally launched the new Trinity Centre on Gosforth High Street with Pastor David Bedford.

And the Magpies record goalscorer said he'd only just got back on his bike after last month completing a 335-mile bike ride from Tyneside to London which raised more than pounds 400,000 for Sports Relief.

As he took a tour around the new centre, the Match of the Day pundit said he had been cycling that very morning.

He admitted: "I actually got on a bike for the first time this morning since doing my charity bike ride.

"I went with three friends on a 25-mile ride before coming here and when I said what I was doing later in the day, two of them told me they got married here."

He said the main reason behind his two-day trip with BBC presenter Adrian Chiles was the visit he made to Uganda earlier this year.

"Getting off the bike was the best part. The challenge was the hardest thing I've ever done, but after what I'd seen in Africa there was no way I wasn't going to do it.

"I went over there and it opened my eyes up. It was an incredible situation.

There was so many sick and desperate people."

The former number 9 said the expe-rience would stay with him for the rest of his life.

As he toured the new pounds 3.25m com-munity centre that was two years in the making, Shearer had some advice for budding footballers who were enjoying a game in one of the sports hall.

He said: "I always think if I've gone out and done something it makes you feel better. You can score a goal, go out and play football, swim, go out on your bike or do something.

"At least you can get out and do some-thing rather than sitting at your computer all afternoon and all evening."

The community project began eight years ago when the three churches on Gosforth High Street merged to form one congregation

Pastor David Bedford, who helped organise the day, said: "We hope the centre will be of great benefit to the people of Gosforth."

CAPTION(S):

SPECIAL GUEST: Alan Shearer met youngsters including Rory Miller at the opening of the Trinity Centre; BIG NAME: Shearer signed autographs for the children during the event yesterday; BIG NAME: Shearer signed autographs for the children during the event yesterday; UP CLOSE: The youngsters spent time with the former United captain PICTURE: LEANNE HOLCROFT www.icNewcastle.co.uk/buyaphoto ref: 01279613