MIDDLESBROUGH goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was a spot-kick success on a visit to North Yorkshire.

The Australian international stopper visited young carers in Harrogate as part of the Premier League's flagship community programme Creating Chances.

Schwarzer met a group of 30 youngsters when he dropped in to their youth club to give a talk about the benefits of exercise and a healthy diet.

The children lined up to take on the Boro star in a Beat The Goalie competition.

The Carers' Resource 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. Many suffer from financial and social hardship and have no time to play sport.

"These people have to make incredible sacrifices and very often have little fun in their lives," said Gill Gentle, head of carer services in Harrogate. "Mark's visit was a reward for all the effort they put in."

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

Middlesbrough chose 25 good causes to receive £2,000 each, while players have made personal appearances at eight projects. Causes receiving £2,000 included North Yorkshire Crimebeat and York and District MIND.