Albion show their support for poorest by backing food bank
THE reality facing parents struggling to feed their children in the run-up to Christmas was brought into focus for Burton Albion stars who have visited a food bank in the town.
Brewers manager Nigel Clough took midfielders Scott Fraser and Jamie Allen to the YMCA facility, admitting the charity needed “everything they can get at the moment”.
The visit came ahead of a collection for the food bank before Albion’s home game against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.
The Brewers are a long-time supporter of the YMCA, where club chairman Ben Robinson is president. The club recently donated £500 from this summer’s Bass Charity Vase match to the cause.
Albion’s push for support cannot come soon enough – with latest figures showing 10,000 children are living in poverty in Burton and South Derbyshire, according to the charity End Child Poverty.
Mr Clough said: “It’s something we’ve been doing every year and the players are very keen on it as well. Every one of them contributes, as do the staff.
“It’s nice to do a little something, but it’s very important that if supporters can bring something down as well in the next few days, and at the game on Saturday, every little bit will help.
“It’s something that is very important to the club. The YMCA do an incredible job.
“We were there a couple of weeks ago, presenting the cheque with the Bass Charity Vase money. But they need everything that they can get at the moment, so anything that anybody can bring will be well appreciated.”
From 1.30pm on Saturday, 90 minutes before the game, Burton Albion Community Trust will accept donations of food items and toiletries. They will also collect cash at the Burton Community Football Centre, near the 3G pitch. The centre will also accept donations from 9.30am to 4.30pm today.
The food bank was extended earlier this year, with Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, visiting Burton YMCA to cut the ribbon.
Mr Robinson said: “We would urge our supporters to donate what they can this weekend to give those who need it some much-needed help this winter.
“The staff and volunteers at the YMCA perform an extremely important service and such generosity can make a real difference.”