Young footballers show support for Sheffield food bank in lead up to Christmas

A team of young footballers have kicked off their charity work by gifting items to a food bank in Sheffield to help the less fortunate this Christmas.
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Representatives from the Abbey Lane JFC Under 8's dropped off around 220 advent calendars at The Grace Food Bank, in Lowedges, on Saturday November 14, on the first day of a programme of charity work this festive season.

The youngsters will also continue to support Grace Food Bank by gathering dried food, tinned goods, and small presents, in the weeks up to December 8, before handing over the items to help feed individuals and families who may otherwise go without this Christmas.

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Lucas Clack and Luey Waterfall from Abbey Lane FC under 8's with some of the advent calenders they are donating to The Grace Foodbank in LowedgesLucas Clack and Luey Waterfall from Abbey Lane FC under 8's with some of the advent calenders they are donating to The Grace Foodbank in Lowedges
Lucas Clack and Luey Waterfall from Abbey Lane FC under 8's with some of the advent calenders they are donating to The Grace Foodbank in Lowedges
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Anna Clack’s eight-year-old son Lucas was one of the representatives who dropped off the advent calendars over the weekend.

She said: “I think what was really shocking for my son was that there was a request for pencils and colouring books and food that was Christmas related because some children won’t get anything like that.

"It really hit a nerve with him to think that families not only struggle to buy food but anything else. Both the boys that attended on Saturday, well certainly Lucas, started gathering toys to donate and he's never done anything like that proactively.”

The team have also launched a weekly raffle for St Luke’s Hospice which, during the first raffle, raised £100 alone.

Lucas Clack and Luey Waterfall representing Abbey Lane FC under 8'sLucas Clack and Luey Waterfall representing Abbey Lane FC under 8's
Lucas Clack and Luey Waterfall representing Abbey Lane FC under 8's
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Anna added: “We’re a massive mixed team from different walks of life which makes it so humbling and amazing. People have all got different circumstances but they are so willing to give and help a good cause.

“We’re hoping to raise at least £250 for St Luke’s in the lead up to Christmas but whatever we get will be great. Then, in the new year we’ve got plans to do charity bag collections to help them as well because we know that’s also been an issue.

"There are also other little bits that we’re planning to do but a lot of the work is so dependent on Covid-19 so we’re trying to do what we can at a time when we can’t do what we would usually.

"The hope is that by next summer we could have a charity day and a football tournament for St Luke’s and also think about where else we could raise funds for.”

The Abbey Lane Under 8's have kicked off their charity workThe Abbey Lane Under 8's have kicked off their charity work
The Abbey Lane Under 8's have kicked off their charity work

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