JONATHAN WOODGATE created quite a stir when he became a Teesside Hospice volunteer for the day to help mark the launch of the Premier League's Creating Chances scheme.

The Premier League is donating £50,000 to local charities through the scheme and Boro have chosen 25 good causes to receive £2,000 each.

And Middlesbrough-based Teesside Hospice is one of several charities to have also "won" a Boro player to help raise awareness of their cause.

The charity, which needs to raise £3,500 a day to cover running costs, is appealing for new volunteers, especially men, to help out with the wide range of tasks required to run a successful operation.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the hospice's foundation, England defender Woodgate took part in 25 tasks normally carried out by hospice volunteers.

See how he got on in our picture special...

One of Jonathan's first task was to join staff and friends of the Hospice for a release of balloons in the hospice's colours.  

He then made his way to the day unit for a word search game, before taking time to chat to patients and sign autographs.  

Twenty-five tasks in two hours was a tall order but some volunteers have been working at the hospice for many years. Jonathan presented awards to some of the most long serving. 

Serving tea for proved no problem at all for the domesticated defender - until he almost added two spoonfuls of salt instead of sugar! 

Next stop was the craft room, where he helped make a paper crown. And you can't kid our Jonathan - when he was handed what volunteers thought was a glue-stick he politely pointed out that it was actually a bingo dabber!

How are you getting on flower pot? Jonathan tends some of the flowers in the hospice's beautifully kept gardens. 

A visit to the hospice's on site hairdressers was next - and this was where Jonathan discovered a hidden talent! "You've got a lovely touch," Joyce told him.

"That's what they all say," Jonathan quipped, before expertly wrapping a towel around Joyce's newly washed hair.

You're booked! Jonathan helps file away books in the Teesside Hospice shop in Linthorpe Road. 

He then went behind the counter to sell special children's badges, proving he also has what it takes to succeed in a sales career!

Here are the full details of Jonathan's 25-part whistle-stop tour...

At Teesside Hospice: 1. Quiz with guests. 2. Talks with guests. 3. Craft room activities. 4. Make coffee. 5. Serve customers in coffee shop. 6. Sign autographs in childrens' room. 7. Help in hairdressing salon. 8. Present long service awards. 9. Help with gardening. 10. Help with reception. 11. Balloon release.

At the hospice trading company in Linthorpe Village: 12. Meet weekly lotto winner. 13. Ring the next lotto winner. 14. Fold tombola tickets. 15. Help with mail-out. 16. Operate fundraising database. 17. Answer phone in shop. 18. Put signed Boro shirt and ball on Ebay. 19. Open mail. 20. Put price-tags on stock. 21. Serve shop customers. 22. Stock shelves. 23. Put furniture on delivery van. 24. Help dress shop window. 25. Promote 'heart strings' fundraiser.

The event featured on Football Focus last weekend and will also be used in national trailers on BBC1, 2 and 3.

Teesside Hospice Care Foundation exists to enhance the lives of local people suffering from progressive, life-limiting illnesses. It cares for over 3,000 individuals through a 10-bed in-patient centre, day care, bereavement counseling service and outpatient clinics.

Chief executive Maureen Thompson said: "Most people are surprised to learn that our services are not fully funded by the NHS. Running costs are in excess of £1.9m per year, with approximately 40% coming from the NHS.

"We rely heavily on the support of local people to help raise the money needed. Much of this is achieved with the help of our staff and volunteers who work within our 10 local charity shops plus our eBay auction site.

"We also rely heavily on volunteers to assist in provision of patient services. The role of volunteer is extremely diverse and without them the hospice would not exist. However, our volunteers are predominantly female, so we would love more males to come forward."

To find out more about the project, see the special Creating Chances section in the CLUB section of mfc.co.uk.