YOUNG carers in Harrogate had the chance to test their shooting skills against Mark Schwarzer in the final stage of the Premier League's flagship community programme, Creating Chances.

Australia's No 1 met around 30 of the young carers when he dropped into their youth club on Thursday to give a talk about the benefits of exercise and a healthy diet.

Then he took part in a "Beat the Goalie" competition, with the winner collecting a fruit hamper and a family ticket to the cinema.

The Carers' Resource in Harrogate supports hundreds of young people between the ages of seven and 18 who are caring for parents or siblings who suffer from illness, disability or drugs or alcohol-related problems.

They are frequently responsible for all domestic chores as well as personal care and the strain of holding a family together.

Many suffer from financial and social hardship and have no time to play sports.

"These people have to make incredible sacrifices and very often have little fun in their lives," says Gill Gentle, Head of Carer Services (Children and Families).

"Mark's visit was a real treat for them and a great opportunity to learn about the lifestyle of a professional athlete. It was also a reward for all the effort they put into looking after others."

The Premier League is donating £1m to charities and good causes throughout the country via the Creating Chances initiative.

Middlesbrough Football Club chose 25 good causes - including Carers' Resource - to receive £2,000 each, while players are making personal appearances in support of eight different causes over a three-week period.

Other causes receiving £2,000 and a player appearance were Teesside Hospice, Butterwick House Children's Hospice, Abbey Hill Special School in Stockton and Safer Middlesbrough Partnership.

Causes winning £2,000 were Barnardos SECOS, The Clarke Lister Appeal, Cardiac Risk in the Youny, Daisy Chain Project, Eston Labour Club (for the Great North Air Ambulance), Grangetown Netball, Holistic Cancer Care, Macmillan, Middlesbrough Disabled Supporters Association, Middlesbrough Live at Home Scheme, Mike Findley MND Fund, Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, North Yorkshire Crimebeat, Samaritans, Sea Cadets, St Michael's School, Billingham (for Help the Aged), The Twe12th Man, Whale Hill Community Association, York and District MIND, Zoe's Place.