Following on from Everton’s emotional 3-1 victory over Chelsea on Saturday, Everton in the Community opened the doors to The People’s Club lounge at Goodison Park to host its latest People’s Picnic, offering a hot meal and entertainment to its participants, as well as individuals living in hostel accommodation.

The Club’s official charity has been regularly hosting People’s Picnics at Goodison Park for more than five years, providing a social get together, musical entertainment and games to participants and those experiencing difficult times, with many recovering from serious addictions.

Attendees also took home a bag of foodbank supplies and a present of clothes and toiletries donated by Fans Supporting Foodbanks and staff from USM Finch Farm.

The People’s Picnics are delivered in partnership with the Club’s catering partner, Sodexo, and the 80 guests in attendance were waited on by volunteer staff from Everton Football Club and Everton in the Community, as well as Labour parliamentary candidate for Walton Dan Carden (above) and Ian Byrne, Labour parliamentary candidate for West Derby.

Both spent the evening at the People’s Picnic in support of the charity’s initiative and helped serve the two-course meal to guests.

Speaking after the event, Pat Connell from Indepence Initiatives said: “The People’s Picnic is an experience like no other and is invaluable to the health and social welfare of our residents.

"To be welcomed by the staff and treated with dignity and respect has helped residents feel part of the wider community. We at Independence Initiatives are grateful for the consistent support we have received over the years from Everton in the Community.”

As a thank you for his ongoing contribution to many years of People’s Picnics, Sodexo executive chef Gareth Billington was the recipient of a presentation and gift from Everton in the Community before he leaves to take on a new role in Portugal in 2020.

Everton in the Community would like to place on record their thanks to Fans Supporting Foodbanks, Sodexo, USM Finch Farm staff and all volunteers for their invaluable contribution to a heart-warming and special event.