Soccer

Cliftonville row in behind foodbank appeal and Christmas gift drive

Clfitonville player Aaron Donnelly, manager Paddy McLaughlin and chairman Gerard Lawlor were on hand to help launch the club's appeal to support families at Christmas in conjunction with North Belfast Advice Partnership
Clfitonville player Aaron Donnelly, manager Paddy McLaughlin and chairman Gerard Lawlor were on hand to help launch the club's appeal to support families at Christmas in conjunction with North Belfast Advice Partnership Clfitonville player Aaron Donnelly, manager Paddy McLaughlin and chairman Gerard Lawlor were on hand to help launch the club's appeal to support families at Christmas in conjunction with North Belfast Advice Partnership

This year will see the sixth Foodbank collection at Solitude and Cliftonville Football Club are again supporting the North Belfast Advice Partnership in their Christmas drive to support families within their community.

Sinead McKinley of the NBAP has said that this year had seen a huge increase in the number of families in need of support due to the global pandemic which has led to job losses across all sectors which has meant feeding families is now much more difficult than it was even five months ago.

There have been circumstances where both parents have lost their jobs.

“We are delighted to once again partner with Sinead and her team at the NBAP. They work tirelessly to help all the community and they deserve not only our, but everyone’s support, particularly at what has been and remains a very challenging time,” said Cliftonville Chairman, Gerard Lawlor.

“Everyone at our club is committed to helping support them in whatever way we can, and we ask our supporters to support their 2020 Christmas Campaign.

Covid-19 restrictions mean that on the day of the primary collection - November 28, when Cliftonville are at home to Portadown - fewer fans than normal will be able to be at the game to contribute to what has been one of the biggest days for NBAP over the last few years.

To enable as many people as possible to support the collection, additional drop-off times over the course of that weekend will be made by the club.

Not everyone will be able to get to Solitude to make a donation, so Cliftonville are also supporting the NBAP "Sponsor a Child" for Christmas campaign. The thrust of the campaign is to sponsor as many children as possible with presents for Christmas and donations via http://www.theredsshop.net/north-belfast-advice-partnership-donation-i800.htm