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Blues star Yerry Mina has been recognised for his charitable and community efforts off the pitch by being named as the club’s PFA Community Champion for the 2018/19 season.

The Colombia international has embraced the work of the club’s official charity and thrown himself into supporting Everton in the Community with several appearances over the course of the season, where he was warmly received and welcomed by the charity’s participants due to his infectious personality and his natural ability in making everyone feel special and valued.

Over the course of the season, the Everton defender attended the charity’s annual disability awards which celebrates the achievements of players from each of Everton in the Community’s nine football teams, and he took the time to congratulate and celebrate with each player individually as well as signing autographs and posing for photos with most of the guests in the room.

The towering defender also played a key part at EitC’s annual showcase event at USM Finch Farm, in October.

As part of the charity’s celebrations around World Down Syndrome Day, Mina joined Seamus Coleman inviting the Down syndrome team to Finch Farm for an extra-special coaching session, where they were welcomed like old friends by both Mina and Coleman before a training session and a small sided game with some incredible goal celebrations in front of the participants watching friends and family.

As well as joining his team-mates in pledging their ongoing support to the charity, Mina was part of the group that played football with the Down syndrome team and made sure every single one of the participants was involved and celebrated every goal with them enthusiastically.

Toffees defender Mina was presented with his award at USM Finch Farm by EitC ceo Richard Kenyon and speaking on the recognition, Mina said: “I am very honoured to win this award.

"I have enjoyed all my visits with Everton in the Community and am very happy to get involved and help and I have made lots of new friends.”

Richard added: “Since joining the Club last summer, Yerry has embraced the work of Everton in the Community and has thrown himself into every single opportunity with a massive smile on his face.

"He always goes out of his way to make our participants feel extra special and has really enjoyed the activities he has taken part in.

"The ongoing support of the playing squad and management team is really important for our charity and we are extremely appreciative to have their backing in all that we do.”

John Hudson, PFA director of Corporate Social Responsibility said: “The PFA believes that players who make that extra effort and contribution during the season should be recognised for their support and involvement in the local community.

"The award will hopefully raise awareness of the great contribution and importance many of our members attach to their roles off the pitch.

"We would like to offer our congratulations to Yerry on being Everton’s recipient of the 2018/19 PFA Community Champion Award.”