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FESTIVE FRIENDS - NOMINATIONS OPEN

Saints in the Community spreads Christmas cheer to people at risk of isolation through SPFL Trust Festive Friends campaign

Saints in the Community are bringing Christmas cheer to those who need it most this year by taking part in the biggest-ever Festive Friends programme during the holiday season.

Festive Friends is a brilliant opportunity for clubs to give back to their local communities.

The SPFL Trust programme is now in its seventh year and, for the first time, all 42 SPFL clubs are taking part in the campaign, including St Johnstone. The campaign has the largest-ever fund this year, a total of £133,000, which means the SPFL Trust will be able to support an extra 1,000 people via Clubs and Community Trusts. As such, the programme is expected to support over 4,000 people this year across Scotland.

It’s been a difficult year so far for everyone with the cost of living crisis, but, of course, winter is always a particularly tough time for the elderly, who are at higher risk of social isolation.

Festive Friends brings Christmas cheer and companionship to elderly people who are socially isolated and at risk of being alone during the festive season. Almost 9,000 people have enjoyed Festive Friends in the last six years and that number is expected to reach nearly 15,000. Hampers usually contain food, snacks, essential toiletries, gifts, games and more. Some clubs even send video messages from managers and players; others have players make personal deliveries.

This year, Saints in the Community staff and volunteers will continue to visit participants with hampers, but also welcome participants to the ground to enjoy a hot Christmas lunch, fun and games, a club gift and transport there and home.

  • Hamper Delivery
  • Tuesday, 20th December
  • Door-step delivery
 
  • Lunch Event
  • Wednesday, 21st December
  • McDiarmid Park
  • 12:30pm to 3:30pm

If you have an elderly relative, friend or neighbour who you would like to nominate, please get in touch via email with the following details about your nominee:

  • Full name;
  • Home address;
  • Date of Birth;
  • Hamper or Lunch event;
  • Any dietary requirements; and
  • Why

Emails can be sent to: admin@saintsinthecommunity.co.uk

SPFL Trust CEO Nicky Reid said: “Festive Friends is one of our biggest events at the SPFL Trust and for our colleagues at clubs and community trusts. It’s all about coming together to have a real impact in the lives of elderly and isolated people over the festive period - reaching more people than ever this year. It’s the Christmas spirit in action as we see the power of football in spades - with clubs spreading cheer in their communities. Scottish football is trusted to support, and our recent research shows that almost 83% of people live within ten miles of a SPFL ground - because of this clubs and their associated community trusts are well positioned to effect this type of change in their communities. This year 43 SPFL clubs are involved making it our biggest programme yet, supported by a record-breaking fund of £133,000. We look forward to supporting more elderly people than ever before, after all kindness never mattered more."