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Saints defender Ronnie Edwards surprised pupils with an appearance and kick-about at The Cedar School in Southampton on Tuesday. The Cedar School is a maintained special school in Nursling, Southampton, for children with complex physical, health and learning difficulties. Edwards, 21, joined Saints Foundation staff on a pupil-led tour of the site before stopping to sign shirts and programmes.
The defender was shown around the specialist physio and sensory rooms, in addition to classrooms, a sports hall, a swimming pool and cookeries. READ MORE: Saints linked with Real Madrid teenager sensation Pupils Ethan and Tyler guided the £3 million summer signing, who arrived at St Mary's this summer from Peterborough United. Saints Foundation's volunteers maintain a regular presence within the school as part of their Premier League Inspires programme.
Edwards told the Daily Echo : "It's been good seeing them all with a smile on their face and I think it's important and good for me to come and see as well. "I think the help they get is massive and it doesn't get spoken about enough. And seeing them with a smile on their face and having fun is the main thing.
" Edwards limited his involvement in the four-a-side match, quipping: "With the aggressive way these are playing, I'm worried about getting injured!" Edwards enjoyed his second trip to a local school as part of his Saints contract, having visited Woodlands Community College since arriving at the club. The Cedar School issued a warm welcoming party which included deputy headteacher Cesia Moran, as the Echo joined Edwards on his tour. Saints Foundation's education projects manager Mike Dixon was also present and explained the club's charitable work in the community.
READ MORE: Harry Kane reveals how Taylor Harwood-Bellis had a role in two England goals "It's fantastic for the pupils to be able to meet the players and have them coming out to the school, especially today when it's a surprise for the kids," he said. "We've been really lucky this year to have so much access to the male and female players coming out to schools and being really engaged in it. "When they do come out, it means so much to the kids to get a signed programme or just to meet them and have a high five.
" Saints Foundation will be kicking off its Annual Christmas cash appeal in the first week of December, calling for fans to support the work they do in the community. This year, the theme is ‘Last Christmas’, a spotlight on the journey and achievements of our participants over the last 12 months..
