Over the past nine months, Everton in the Community has supported more than 26,000 vulnerable and at-risk individuals and families through its Blue Family initiative and, with just two days to go until Christmas, charity staff and volunteers from partner organisations have delivered more than 1,300 festive meals and gifts to those most in need this Christmas time.

Organised and facilitated by Everton in the Community’s Neighbourhood Manager Sarah Atherton, the Blue Family Christmas activity saw the Club’s official charity deliver a provision of freshly made food, hygiene parcels and toys to individuals and families who are vulnerable, homeless and/or isolated in a bid to tackle food deprivation and improve wellbeing over the festive period.

Those who received the festive parcels include Liverpool 4 residents, EitC participants, Blue Family referrals and local community football teams, as well as homeless centres and care homes.

The Christmas dinners and pre-prepared meals were kindly donated by local catering firm, and long-term friend of Everton in the Community, Relish, while toys and gifts have been donated by Appreciate Group, QVC and Santander.

The large-scale delivery was made possible thanks to Club Principal Partner and Goals For Good founder Cazoo, who generously provided a Cazoo transporter and driver to support with logistics and deliveries, while a team of enthusiastic workers including staff from EitC and Condy Lofthouse and volunteers from Fans Supporting Foodbanks were on hand to assist in packing the hampers, loading vehicles and making socially-distanced doorstep deliveries.