Sheffield United chairman Prince Musaad urges Blades to support S2 Food Bank after pledging £3,000 to provide Christmas lunch for families

Prince Musaad has donated £3,000 to begin a week-long campaign to boost the supplies at the S2 Food Bank – and is urging Unitedites to donate what they can.

“After the fantastic support from Blades fans during the week of action for Cash for Kids, Mission Christmas, we are once again calling on our supporters to help with a week-long initiative to help collect new and non-perishable food items for the S2 Food Bank,” he said.

“Community initiatives such as this are important and I’m delighted that both Sheffield United and myself personally can get involved.”

It is estimated that it will cost around £3,000 to provide a Christmas lunch for those families that use the food bank, as well a toy for their children, but more is required to ensure locals do not go without over the festive period.

The S2 Food Bank is a network of community and faith organisations who have come together to provide food parcels to those in need of food who live in the Sheffield S2 area – the same postcode as Bramall Lane.

United players, families, coaches and football management are all behind the project, and are encouraging fans to support where possible once again this Christmas. Last year United brought the festive cheer by donating almost four tonnes of food, thanks to the generosity of fans.

From Friday November 29 until Friday December 6, Blades fans will be able to support by donating new and non-perishable food items to Bramall Lane, to help feed struggling families this Christmas.

Donations can be made throughout the week at the Blades Superstore or Copthorne Hotel with supporters also being able to donate at the Blades Family Hub or in the John Street Executive Entrance on the night of the Newcastle United game on December 5. Volunteers will also be situated around the ground, collecting any spare change supporters may wish to donate to the S2 Food Bank.

Fans are urged to support by either:

- donating food including items such as selection boxes, Christmas puddings, biscuits, sweets, gravy granules and stock cubes, amongst many other new and non-perishable food items. - buying a gift for a child or teenager. - making a cash donation.

Jaimee Reeve, a local food bank volunteer, said: “A huge thank you to the supporters, staff, players and families at Sheffield United. After last year’s successful festive food bank collection at Bramall Lane, we know just how much this can help those in need in our community with those using food banks increasing by 73 per cent in the last five years.

“There are many reasons for food bank use, including low income, benefit delays, ill health, job loss, domestic abuse and inability to afford children’s meals in school holidays. The S2 Food Bank is able to provide emergency support to those who need it thanks to initiatives such as the festive food bank collection.”

For further information regarding the S2 Food Bank, visit www.s2foodbank.org.uk or contact [email protected] regarding SUFC’s campaign.