Families in Gosport set for festive boost as Gosport Borough FC volunteers deliver hampers to households in need

Gosport Borough FC has been working hard to look after more than 500 families in the borough throughout the pandemic.

Its Feed a Family in Need campaign, which started in April after fixtures at the end of the 2019-20 season were cancelled, is now seeing volunteers delivering hampers to households on its books to give a boost during the festive season.

The football club has teamed up with Titchfield veg box firm Boxxfresh, the Co op, Asda and Morrisons to create food and gift parcels which have started to be distributed across the town.

The Wave 105 Mission Christmas has also donated some gifts to be given out in the hampers.

A tombola in the club bar and fundraising by Gosport Borough Youth FC means more than 50 families will be getting the cheer of Christmas this year, despite the pandemic.

Deb Redpath, who is the club’s community co-ordinator, said: ‘This has been a real team effort. From raising the funds to create the parcels, through to our fantastically generous supplies and the volunteers who distribute them, these hampers couldn’t have happened without the help of so many people.’

From July through to the end of November the group had delivered 1,730 food parcels, with each delivery consisting of a parcel of ambient food, a bag of fresh food and cereal.

SEE ALSO: Purbrook Park pupils write heartfelt cards to bring some Christmas cheer to retired neighbours

A crowdfunder campaign is nearly at £10,000 to keep the scheme running until the end of the calendar year, but the club is now looking for further donations to ensure the work can continue into the new year.

Deb, who has been running the scheme since July, added: ‘People have already been very generous, but we are anticipating demand continuing at at least current levels into the new year, so we need to ensure we keep fundraising.

‘Anything people can spare would be appreciated and keep the wolf from the door of some of the town's most vulnerable families.’

Visit crowdfunder.co.uk/feed-a-family-in-need-with-the-boro to find out more information and donate towards the campaign.

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