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FESTIVE FRIENDS - NOMINATIONS OPEN
The St Johnstone Community Trust spreads Christmas Cheer to people at risk of social isolation through Festive Friends campaign
The St Johnstone Community Trust are bringing Christmas cheer to those that need it most this year by taking part in the biggest ever Festive Friends programme during the holiday season... and we're accepting nominations!
Festive Friends is a brilliant opportunity for clubs to give back to their local communities. The programme is now in its sixth year, with 41 SPFL clubs taking part in the campaign this year, including St Johnstone!
The campaign has the largest fund ever this year, a total of £100,000, which means the SPFL Trust will be able to more than DOUBLE the number of people clubs are able to support. As such, the programme is expected to support over 3,000 people across Scotland this year.
It's been a tough few years for everyone due to Covid-19, but of course it has been especially difficult for the elderly who are at higher risk of social isolation. Festive Friends brings Christmas cheer and companionship to elderly people who are socially isolated and at risk of being alone during the festive season. Almost 4,000 people have enjoyed an event in the last five years and last year’s new-look initiative, when it was not possible to hold events due to physical distancing rules, was also a huge success with over 2,800 people receiving Christmas hampers in doorstep visits.
Last year, our hampers were delivered across Perth & Kinross and contained food, snacks, gifts, activities and more. We even brought a video messages from St Johnstone FC players too!
This year, Community Trust staff and volunteers will continue to visit participants with hampers.
TO NOMINATE
If you have an elderly relative, friend or neighbour who you would like to nominate to receive a Festive Friends hamper on Wednesday 22nd December, please get in touch with us at admin@saintsinthecommunity.co.uk with the following details:
- their full name
- their address
- date of birth
- contact telephone number
- any allergies
- the need e.g. social isolation, lonliness, elderly
All nominations must be made by Friday 18th December.
Spaces are very limited and will be offered to those eligible on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be aware that we may not be able to support all applications.
SPFL Trust CEO, Nicky Reid, said: "Festive Friends is a real highlight of the year for me and my colleagues at SPFL clubs. It's all about good old fashioned Christmas spirit - bringing club staff and volunteers together to reach elderly people who are at risk of social isolation. Scottish football is trusted to support, and our recent research shows that almost 83% of people live within ten miles of a SPFL ground - because of this clubs and their associated community trusts are well positioned to effect this type of change in their communities. This year 41 SPFL clubs are involved making it our biggest programme yet, supported by a record breaking fund of £100,000. We look forward to supporting more elderly people than ever before, after all kindness never mattered more."