Can you support Wigan Athletic Community Trust’s Christmas Appeal?

Help Wigan Athletic Community Trust combat loneliness this Christmas by supporting their appeal to make the festive period a joyous occasion for older people at risk of social isolation.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge social interaction, many people in our community will feeling alone, isolated and cut off during the festive period. Millions of older people will spend their Christmas alone, and according to statistics from Age UK, four in five of those will not seek any help to remedy that.

The club’s official charity are working with the Wigan Athletic Supporters Club to support those at risk of isolation over the festive period with the delivery of Christmas care packages.

Every pound raised will be doubled thanks to the match funding of Crowdfunder and the National Emergencies Trust (NET), meaning a pledge of £5 will see the appeal receive £10.

Contributions will assist in providing regular phone calls, garden gate visits and the delivery of festive care packages containing a number of items including crafts, a Christmas pudding, letters and cards from local primary school pupils and other festive gifts.

• £5 will help towards regular phone calls
• £10 will help towards regular phone calls and a festive care package
• £25 will help towards regular phone calls, garden gate visits and a festive care package

Tom Flower, Head of Community at Wigan Athletic, said: “The Christmas season can be, for many, a period of worry and loneliness.

“Through the delivery of the festive care packages and regular contact, we aim to make what may be a challenging time, a much more joyful occasion and any donation from supporters will certainly help us to do this.”

Rosemary Charles was one of many recipients of a Christmas care package last year. She said: “A huge thanks for the visit and the parcel, I can’t begin to tell you how much it lifted my spirits.

“The support I’ve had during the pandemic has been a lifesaver. With the phone calls they always seemed to time it when I felt down because I was shielding but the overall support has made a real difference to me.”

If you would like to refer someone who is over 55 and living alone and would benefit from the services then please contact the Trust by calling 01942 318090 or emailing community@wiganathletic.com.

To make a donation to the Christmas support package appeal, you can do so by heading to the Crowdfunder page here.