EFDN wishes you all a merry Christmas! Here are some Initiatives Launched by our Members

EFDN wishes you all a merry Christmas! Here are some Initiatives Launched by our Members

The festive season is a time for giving, and the members of EFDN have once again demonstrated their commitment to supporting their communities. Here’s a roundup of heartwarming Christmas initiatives from our member clubs and foundations, who demonstrate year after year the incredible impact that football can have on bringing joy during the holiday season.

Big Hearts Community Trust: Festive Update

Big Hearts Community Trust, the official charity of Heart of Midlothian FC, embraced the Christmas spirit by providing essential support to vulnerable individuals in their community. Their initiatives included distributing festive care packages, organising a big family Christmas meal, and running events to bring isolated individuals together for companionship during the holidays. Especially thanks to the amazing job from the volunteers, more than 700 people received support.

Celtic FC Foundation: Record-Breaking Christmas Appeal

The Celtic FC Foundation’s annual Christmas Appeal raised and distributed an extraordinary £412,000 to support those in need. The funds were used to provide food, toys, and gifts to vulnerable families, ensuring they could celebrate the festive season with joy and a smile on their face. The initiative reflects Celtic FC Foundation’s commitment to reduce poverty and spread hope during the holidays: more than 1000 were helped, as well as 938 vulnerable local pensioners and 725 children, but also 38 grassroots organisations who support children, women, children in refuge and homeless people received foundings.

FC Barcelona Foundation: Polseres Blaugranes Christmas Campaign

FC Barcelona Foundation made the holiday season special with their “Polseres Blaugranes” (Blaugrana Wristband) project as the main part of their Christmas campaign, developed in collaboration with children’s hospitals in Catalonia and around the world. This initiative focused on promoting solidarity and emotional support for children who are fighting serious illnesses. The distribution of symbolic blue bracelets served as a gesture of empathy and togetherness, emphasising the club’s mission to use football as a force for bringing happiness in its community.

Real Betis Balompié: The traditional Toy Rain

Real Betis Balompié made everyone emotional with their traditional “Rain of Plush Toys” initiative, collecting over 20,000 toys for children in need. Fans threw plush toys onto the pitch during a match, which were later distributed to local charities. This beautiful tradition takes place every year at the Benito Villamarín Stadium in Seville, and it became famous all around the world for the iconic scenes that fans make real every single time.

Bristol City FC & Foundation: Operation Community Hamper

Bristol City FC and its Community Foundation joined forces to launch “Operation Community Hamper,” delivering essential hampers filled with food and gifts to local families in need. This initiative ensured that struggling households could celebrate the festive season with a sense of comfort and care, underscoring the club’s dedication to always support its community.

Wolves foundation: Shoebox appeal puts smiles on faces this Christmas

With thanks to various supporters, Wolves Foundation and other businesses from the Wolverhampton area, a total of 472 shoeboxes containing gifts have been presented to charities and community groups, which were then passed on to children of different ages who might otherwise not be receiving much this Christmas.

The presents were delivered to different charities and community groups to distribute, including the Good Shepherd, Hope Community Project, Women & Families Resource Centre, the Haven, Jericho House and the Family Hub in Graiseley.

The Foundation would once again like to thank everyone involved for the donations which will support children from the local community.

EFDN wishes to all the Members and fans a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Let’s continue using football to build a brighter future in 2025!