Arsenal footballers will be helping school children with reading and maths as part of a string of lottery-funded schemes in Wandsworth.
The football club has teamed up with Wandsworth Council to send players into nine schools to help youngsters with their numeracy and literacy.
They are to go to schools twice a week and will be helped by sixth form volunteers who will work towards a certificate in coaching.
The lotterys New Opportunities Fund is stumping up almost £400,000 towards a package of schemes due to start in mid-November.
As well as the Arsenal link-up, these include sports and science clubs, a project aimed at special schools and the West Hill Numeracy Project.
In total 23 Wandsworth schools will benefit and children will get extra classes in core subjects to help them fulfil their potential, as well as extra coaching in sports, drama and art.
Meanwhile the lotterys Community Fund is giving £5,000 to the Wandsworth-based Kolga Youth Forum.
The group offers community advice on legal matters, welfare rights, housing, health and social issues and runs weekend classes for children.
It will use its grant to fund volunteer expenses and celebrate Black History Month and a hold a seminar to help the young understand their community.
Chairman Stanley Ebikinei-Eguruze said without the cash the group would not have been able to take part in Black History Month.
The celebration of black history is a fantastic event to encourage young people from ethnic minorities to build a better community for us all.
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