Hull City's Bernard Mendy returned to the classroom recently in support of Coaching for Hope's anti substance abuse day.

Mendy's visit, organised in conjunction with the Premier League's 'Places for Players' campaign, was part of the football club's ongoing commitment to forming positive links with members of the local community.

The session was a result of the Tigers Trust's developing partnership with Coaching for Hope, an organisation that traditionally uses football as a means of bettering the lives of the disadvantaged in Africa. The two parties decided to transfer the valuable messages delivered abroad to the local area, and as such, created an educational manual outlining the dangers of substance abuse.

Mendy was happy to assist the Tigers Trust staff in the afternoon. Arriving to an enthusiastic reception, he took part in a question and answer session with teenagers from the local community. The Frenchman was quizzed about the dangers of drugs in general, as well as the presence of drugs in the sporting world.

Speaking after the event, Mendy spoke positively about the work being done by Hull City in the local community, and reserved a special mention for those involved behind the scenes.

"Drugs are very damaging, so to help raise awareness of the dangers of addiction was something I was delighted to get involved with," he said.

"It was good to find out that the young people I spoke to realised the dangers associated with drugs and substance abuse.

"In football, we know that drugs cannot be good, so it's great to know that there are some fantastic people at Hull City spreading that message to local teenagers."

Event coordinator Matt Barr was also delighted with the success of the day.

"The day was an unqualified triumph," he added.

"It was great that we had the opportunity to transfer the good work that we do in Africa to those in the local community.

"Bernard was a great role model for the kids, stressing the importance of leading a drug free existence. As a professional footballer he helped to underline the positive effects of leading an active and healthy lifestyle."

[Pictured: Bernard Mendy (centre) with students on the Coaching for Hope programme]