Players meet and greet local youngsters from Laureus Project home.

Following Monday’s training game victory against South African side Platinum Stars, the England squad spent time with a group of local orphans from the ‘My Home’ project.

Managed by the Laureus Foundation, 28 children were at the Moruleng Stadium to see the game, which England won by 3-0 ahead of their World Cup opener with USA on Saturday.

After the game and when all of the players’ had completed their media activity, the children were brought out onto the pitch to see some of their footballing heroes.

All of the players were only too happy to sign autographs, chat to the youngsters and pose for photographs.

Former Olympic champion Edwin Moses is Chairman of the Laureus Foundation and he told FATV how events like this can help inspire and encourage underprivileged children.

"We use sports as a tool for social change,” he explained. "We have 78 projects in 38 different countries, 12 of which are in South Africa.

"Today we have brought a group of boys down who are all orphans with no parents so this occasion gives them a chance to really feel the flavour.

"Sport has the ability to make them feel good and inspire them to do greater things and that's what it's all about.”

Rio Ferdinand spoke on behalf of the players too, in explaining just how happy everyone was to give up their time and help put a smile on a few faces.

"It's great that we could do that and for them to be able to see us first hand and get pictures,” he said.

"We can make them aware of the England team and it's good to give some the kids who aren't as fortunate as ours to get a little bit of inspiratiion.

"It's something that we've got to keep on doing and if we can brighten up one of those kids' days, it's fantastic.”

Watch a video of the occasion now, by clicking on the link to the right.