EXCLUSIVE: Premiership stars light up special day for kids

PREMIERSHIP footballer’s joined forces to open a new city centre kids' club this week, writes Kate Meighan.

Manchester City’s Micah Richards and Ivan Klasnic from Bolton Wanderers provided the seal of approval to Bubblekids on the outskirts of Manchester’s northern quarter.

Sophia Coleman has started Bubblekids to take the strain off parents who find it difficult juggling children of different ages.

Event organiser Miss Coleman invited the footballers to join the group. Richards and Klasnic signed shirts to raffle and posed for pictures before declaring the day a resounding success.

England international Richards (above) made his first appearance for Manchester City seven years ago, and last year signed a deal keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until 2015.

Originally from Leeds, the 23-year-old is settled in Manchester and feels it is important to get involved in community projects in the city.

He told Quays News: “I’ve been in Manchester around eight years now. Anything I can do to help in the community, I will. Especially if there’s kids involved, you can’t do better.

“There are a lot of children of all ages and it’s a great new place for parents to bring their kids. I haven’t got any kids myself but hopefully one day, when I do, I’ll bring them down.”

The idea for Bubblekids came after Miss Coleman had her second child. From talking to other parents, and particularly dads, she found they were keen for somewhere to take children of all ages.

Miss Coleman then decided to put Premiership footballers at the forefront of her plans to appeal to those dads.

Jamie Luke, the owner of Studio 25 where Bubblekids is located, was delighted to welcome the sports stars to the venue and hopes their presence will help the business develop.

He said:  “The day’s been a great success. It’s amazing that local celebrities have come down to celebrate the opening.

“The organisers have worked really hard, and I’m glad to have everyone here raising our profile. I hope there will be many more like it”.

Miss Coleman thanked Richards and Klasnic (above left) for helping to provide a memorable day for both the children and their parents.

She said: “We’ve all had a great day. Micah got well in with the kids, even going in the ball pool and the bouncy castle.  

“I’d like to say a big thank you to him and the other players who helped make this day such a success.”

Bubblekids is held on the last Sunday of every month at Studio 25, Church Street, Manchester.

For more information contact the studio on 0161 833 9937 or via email at hello@bubblekidsuk.com

* Images courtesy of The Vain Photography