A hundred families and more than 50 isolated individuals across the Potteries will receive Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and sacks filled with presents after a magnificent response to our Christmas Appeal.
Our festive appeal was launched in conjunction with Staffordshire Police and community champion Jason Powner.
Around 300 children and almost 200 adults are being given boxes filled with food ahead of Christmas Day as well as crackers, reindeer dust, a carrot for Rudolph and a mince pie for Santa, along with gifts for all the family.
Meanwhile, people living alone will be visited on December 25 and also receive a box of festive food, a seasonal gift and a doorstep chat from our volunteers – including Port Vale FC co-owner and Chair Carol Shanahan OBE.
Hundreds more needy families, many referred to us by colleagues at Staffordshire Police or through Jason Powner’s network, have been receiving presents to put under the tree in recent days.
And around 700 isolated, elderly and vulnerable people have been given well-being packs as part of the Port Vale Foundation Trust’s Loneliness Project.
Our Christmas Appeal has seen scores of volunteers working alongside club staff, Port Vale Foundation staff, Hubb Foundation staff and staff from our sister company Synectics Solutions.
Port Vale FC co-owner and Chair Carol Shanahan OBE said: “We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response to our Christmas Appeal.
“On behalf of everyone at the club I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the individuals, businesses and organisations who have donated gifts, food and money to help make Christmas special for those less fortunate.
“As a result, in partnership with Staffordshire Police and Jason Powner, we have been able to bring a smile to many faces across the city during these unprecedented times.
“This appeal is a natural extension of the work the Port Vale Community Hub has done since the beginning of the pandemic which has seen us deliver more than 200,000 meals to families in Stoke-on-Trent and beyond.”
Sergeant Phillip Ferns, of Stoke-on-Trent North Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The sheer number of gifts collected speaks volumes of the generosity of the people in our community. This has been a tremendously challenging year and sadly those already struggling may have found it even more difficult.
“While this Christmas is no doubt going to be very different it is campaigns like this which will still help to spread some festive cheer at a time we all need it. Our officers, as they have done previously, have been keen to back this initiative and along with collecting gifts from well-wishers in the area they have used their own money to buy presents.
“In our role we identify vulnerable and struggling families all the time and to be able to provide them with not only a gift but a meal at Christmas is fantastic.
“We are extremely proud to have been part of this wonderful campaign and will continue to provide support to those in our community who need us the most.”
Thank you to everybody who supported the Christmas Appeal and we wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to come!