Rio Ferdinand, Graeme Swann and Ben Kay ask the public to pledge time to local charities

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Sports stars backing campaign to volunteer

Rio Ferdinand playing rugby, Ben Kay riding a horse and Graeme Swann in a boxing ring.

The three stars are well known for their talents in their chosen field but have been spending time out of their comfort zone in a bid to get more people volunteering at local charities and sports clubs.

As BT Sport ambassadors the trio, along with Manchester United striker Robin van Persie and a host of others, have been visiting local charitable projects for The Supporter's Club, which has raised more than £3million from BT Sport customers and BT.

Former Manchester United and England defender Ferdinand played rugby in south London, Ex-England spinner Graeme Swann travelled to a boxing gym in Bristol and former England lock Kay spent time at a Riding for the Disabled facility in Yorkshire.

"Grassroots sport and many charities across the country are dependent on people in the local community giving up their time to help others," said Ferdinand.

"I know I would have struggled to make it as a professional footballer without the time given up by my coaches and managers when I started playing competitive football as a kid."

Swann added: ""It doesn’t take any money or indeed very much time. Get involved, spend time with a local charity and do what you can. We all have skills that can help local projects and charities. If I, as a former cricketer, can help budding boxers, then anything is possible."

The Supporters Club has raised over £3 million from BT Sport customers and BT. This has so far been used to fund 24 sport-inspired community projects – 14 in the UK and 10 overseas, with over 91,000 people now signed up to the initiative.

People can try something new by pledging their extra time to sports volunteering opportunities in their local area via www.btsport.com/myextratime. Those who join are encouraged to share their pledges using #MyExtraTime