Brentford have teamed up with Hounslow Community FoodBox to help raise £850 for the charity’s Christmas Appeal.
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the charity has provided over 100,000 meals, a 300% increase on the usual donations, with a third of those going to local children.
The Bees have continually supported the organisation over recent years with players making regular visits to support the initiative as well as donating both food and money.
However, with restrictions making visits impossible this year, Brentford decided to set up a collection point outside the Morrisons supermarket in Brentford, collecting an impressive 2,100 items over the course of two weekends.
Brentford staff and directors worked with fans to collect the donations with chairman Cliff Crown and club mascots Buzz and Buzzette among those lending a hand.
Elsewhere, first team players wrapped presents and packed hampers at the club’s Jersey Road training ground while Brentford FC Lifeline Society donated £3,000 for turkeys and other provisions for the 150 Christmas hampers being prepared by Hounslow Community FoodBox.
On this year’s Christmas Appeal, Brentford FC Player Welfare Manager Peter Gilham, said: “Brentford Football Club has always been proud to help its local community and we’re doing so again this year alongside Hounslow Community FoodBox and Morrisons Brentford.
“This year has been incredibly challenging – Hounslow Community FoodBox has seen applications rise fourfold – so there’s a lot of people out there in desperate need.
“The players themselves made a substantial donation a few weeks ago, and we’re asking our supporters for their backing too.”
Hounslow Community FoodBox is also looking for more volunteers and donations – particularly non-perishable items and money to help extend the service they can provide.
For more information, visit the Hounslow Community FoodBox website or email email [email protected].