Arsenal defender Ashley Cole never had to use ChildLine but that didn't stop him help to launch it as Gunners' charity of the season.
Ashley, who grew up in East London with his mum and younger brother, told us he was lucky enough to have never needed the charity's help, but would recommend it to anyone who was having a tough time at school or at home:
He said: "If young boys see people like Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira supporting it, hopefully they will take more note of it and won't be too scared to call up if they have a problem."
As a child Ashley looked up to people like Martin Keown, one of the club's veterans, and recognises the need for young people to have role models. He now sees himself as one.
He said: "A lot of people look up to footballers and want to be footballers, so you have to do things the right way, on and off the pitch. You have to be respectable."
About the team
This story was produced by Danyel Edwards, 17 and James Michael, 16. It was published in the Highbury and Islington Express.
