A YOUTH organisation has won an award and attended an England football game for its work with the disadvantaged.

Be The Best is a volunteer-run youth centre in Bolton started by Daniel Sukula, who was almost deported to the Congo in 2005.

Daniel was invited to the England game versus Andorra after his outfit won the Bolton Health and Wellbeing Award.

He said: “During lockdown it was difficult not being able to open and put on activities for the young people, so we had to do things online.

“This year, we have grown quite a lot, but we didn’t expect to win or be invited to the game.

“When I was called to say we had won, I just couldn’t believe it, because there are so many organisations in Bolton, and this shows we are doing something right.”

The youth centre joined the Lionhearts Squad last year, along with 22 others, including Captain Sir Tom Moore.

They were personally nominated by ex-Bolton Wanderers footballer Emile Heskey and were then invited to the game.

Daniel said: “During half-time, they took us to the pitch, and I was nervous because I never thought I would be doing this, especially when they showed our pictures and organisations on the big screen.

“We watched the game and had a ceremony, where we got a personal thank-you video from the players.

Since then, Daniel and his team have received messages from young people in Bolton wanting to join the youth club.

He said: “It just shows that giving back to the community will take you far. I met Heskey in 2019 at the Northwest Football Awards and I told him about everything we do, so he gave me his number and has come to see me a few times now in Bolton.”

Be The Best is planning to run a new youth football club and have asked Heskey to talk to the team, giving them tips and inspiration.

Daniel added: “This can open many doors for young people in Bolton and I hope he will come and speak to them, because it would really encourage them to take up sport and inspire their futures.”