AFC Community Trust Helps Make Christmas “Mission Possible”

Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust (AFCCT) is once again lending its support to Northsound’s Cash for Kids to help ensure that children across the North-east will wake up to a present from Santa this year.

The charity’s Mission Christmas appeal collects donations of toys or funds to make Christmas Day special for children living in poverty and this year the Trust will support the initiative which helps to ensure hundreds of children across the region who would otherwise wake up to nothing on Christmas morning.

A squad of AFCCT and AFC volunteers, including AFC Women players, Bailley Collins and Jenna Penman, will work at the Mission Christmas headquarters dealing with collections from the 62 drop-off points across the region, packing presents and loading vehicles to ensure gifts are delivered in time for Christmas. Many of the children who will benefit are among the vulnerable children and their families supported by the Trust throughout the year.

“As we continue to battle with the pandemic, and in the hope of being able to enjoy a more normal festive period with loved ones, AFCCT once again wanted to play its part in ensuring that Christmas was special, especially for children living in difficult or disadvantaged circumstances,” said Liz Bowie, chief executive of AFCCT.

“Many families continue to face adversity due to the events of the last year or so, and the Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal is a lifeline for many who would suffer at this time of year.

“The Red Army are absolutely fantastic when it comes to supporting the Trust, and many wider community projects, so I have no doubt they will dig deep and demonstrate true Christmas spirit in support of this worthwhile campaign. I’m sure we’ll all make it a mission to ensure no child has to wake up on Christmas morning without a gift.”

Michelle Ferguson, Charity Manager at Cash for Kids, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming the volunteers from AFCCT and AFC who will help us to co-ordinate the collection of the gifts and help out in our Mission HQ.

The volunteers make such a difference to our campaign which has been in partnership with The Wood

Foundation for seven years now. We are a team of two at Northsound Cash for Kids and we could not deliver this campaign without the help from our volunteers. I know we shouldn’t have favourites, but a special mention must go to ‘Ronnie The Elf’, not only is he super-efficient, he brightens our day with his cheery disposition and Elf outfits!

“Mission Christmas is our biggest appeal of the year, and we aim to provide at least three gifts for every child in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire who are at risk of waking on Christmas morning with nothing to open. This is a huge operation and last year we helped 5,110 children whom Santa forgot.

“We simply could not deliver this appeal without the contributions from our generous supporters.”

You can help by donating presents to the Mission Christmas campaign. They are in desperate need of presents for:

Babies up to age 3

7-9 Girls

9-12 Boys and Girls

Girls and boys from 12 up to 18

If you can help, gifts can be donated at sites all over the region and through their Amazon wish list!

Find a collection point near you: https://cashforkids.org.uk/mission

Amazon wish list: https://www.cashforkidsgive.co.uk/donate/uk-mission-christmas-

2021-gift-list/