Kevin Pietersen's cricketing appearances in England are few and far between these days but he was more than happy to throw himself into some hands on coaching in Berkshire last week.
There are those who would still like to see him wearing the Three Lions in the ongoing one-day series against Pakistan, but with that chapter firmly closed the 36-year-old has been using his time to engage with his charitable KP24 Foundation.
Founded in June 2015, the foundation's mission is to improve the life chances of underprivileged young people through sport and education programmes.
After starting in the United Arab Emirates last year Pietersen has brought his 24/7 project to the UK, giving 72 16-20-year-olds the chance to experience a 10-day camp at the exclusive Wellington College.
Cricket forms a big part of the curriculum, but the agenda is more about offering development opportunities than unearthing raw talent for the professional game.
Pietersen joined his team to conduct a handful of personal sessions with the group, a level of involvement he feels passionate about.
"I don't think writing a big cheque and chucking it somewhere does as much good," he told Press Association Sport.
"Yes it looks good, maybe you look like an amazing person but giving my time and getting the coaches here, putting on these projects means more.
"What we're doing with these kids is being hands on because the money doesn't mean as much if you don't turn up.
"I like giving back because I've got the opportunity through the profile I raised throughout my cricket career.
"Now I want to give other people opportunities and let them take as much as they can from them. By all accounts it is going really well and the kids don't want it to stop."
Pietersen was involved in some bitter recriminations with the England and Wales Cricket Board after his career was controversially ended following the 2013/14 Ashes whitewash.
His subsequent autobiography detailed in stark terms the difficulties he experienced throughout his days in the international spotlight, but his work with KP24 has afforded him distance and perspective.
"This is way more important to me, sport is work.it's a job," he said.
"I am a human being and person and this is the emotive side of me, the caring side that wants to make other people happy.
"Cricket is all I know but I'm using it to help kids get life opportunities and different skills. If it helps people play the game more, fantastic, but my aim isn't to raise the profile of cricket it's to make a difference to their lives."
As well as operating the training camps, in association with Chance to Shine, Pietersen is also hoping to raise funds and awareness for Ocular Melanoma, a rare disease that killed his friend Jon Cole-Edwardes.
"One of my best mate's died a few years ago from this very rare form of eye cancer and that part is a main target through the foundation," he said.
"We need a lot of support to try and raise as much money and awareness as we can for ocular melanoma."
:: The UK 24/7 Project will see 72 underprivileged and marginalised 16-20- year-olds take on a fully funded 10-day residential cricket and educational camp at Wellington College. For more information please visit www.kp24foundation.com
Source: PA
