Football clubs spread some festive cheer with Christmas hampers

Scottish football is aiming to spread some festive cheer to those who need it most as they prepare to hand out Christmas hampers.

More than 2,400 people will receive a special treat this year as 37 community trusts and SPFL clubs get involved with the initiative.

The campaign, titled Festive Friends, is now in its fifth year and usually serve Christmas lunches to those who feel socially isolated.

However, due to the pandemic, they have changed tools and launched a new “at home” version with hampers being delivered by a friendly face from the clubs.

Aberdeen FC Community Trust project manager Nicola Graham told Original 106 why it was important for them to be seen out and about in the community ahead of the festive period:

Funding announced from James Anderson and SPFL Trust’s second anonymous donor mean that a total of “87,000 will be committed to this year’s campaign.

SPFL Trust interim chief executive Warren Hawke added that due to the pandemic they needed a “new approach to keep the programme going in 2020”.

He said: ““Festive Friends At Home is about more than just sending out Christmas hampers; it’s about delivering compassion, patience and kindness at the end of a year when it’s never meant more.

“We’d like to thank James Anderson and our second donor for their support in delivering this initiative. Their generosity will enable us to reach more people than ever before.”

Along with the associated community trusts and clubs, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will also be delivering throughout.

Assistant Chief Officer Stuart Stevens is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Director of Service Delivery and he said: “This winter will be incredibly difficult for many people across Scotland who are isolated from friends and family. 
 
“Not only is it more important than ever that we show compassion and kindness and reach out to those people who are isolated during the festive season, as a Service we also know that the risk of fire in homes can greatly increase at this time of year - particularly for those living alone.

“We would encourage everyone to safely contact friends, families and neighbours in line with your local Covid-19 guidance and make sure that no-one is alone this Christmas.”