Everton Players Help Reveal Limited-Edition EitC Fundraising Doughnut

Charly Alcaraz, Dwight McNeil and Jake O’Brien joined members of Everton’s Junior Fans’ Forum to launch a special-edition doughnut that will raise funds for Everton in the Community at this weekend’s Premier League fixture against Chelsea.

Ahead of EitC’s annual matchday, the Junior Fans’ Forum – a group of 11 to 16-year-old Blues – came up with the idea of giving Hill Dickinson Stadium’s now famous Toffee doughnut a one-off revamp to help support the charity’s far-reaching impact across Merseyside and beyond.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that the young Blues have chosen a chocolate doughnut filled with chocolate cream for their fun, fundraising bake, with the Club’s Culinary Experiences Partner Aramark set to direct a portion of proceeds from each doughnut sold to EitC’s overall fundraising total.

The doughnut also features:  

• An edible ‘EitC’ crest at its centre, representing Everton in the Community being at the heart of our community; 
• Blue and white icing as a nod to Everton’s home colours;  
• Blue and white star sprinkles in recognition of EitC as an award-winning charity  

 The three players joined Junior Fans’ Forum members in Hill Dickinson Stadium’s The Yard to decorate their own doughnuts, before taking part in a quick-fire doughnut derby. Given just 10 seconds to fill and decorate a doughnut, the players’ efforts were then scored by the youngsters and representatives from Aramark and suppliers Planet Doughnut, with Argentine Alcaraz judged to be the day’s star baker.

The Junior Fans' Forum initially met with EitC officials and the Club's Fan Engagement team earlier this year to explore creative ways that young supporters could play a role in fundraising. 

The group shared a range of ideas centred around matchday engagement and fan involvement, with the concept of a one-off doughnut designed and inspired by the youngsters quickly emerging as the standout suggestion.

The doughnut will be sold across Hill Dickinson Stadium’s concourses at Saturday’s match (KO 5.30pm), with each sale contributing to the EitC cause.

Adam Bateman, Culinary Director for Aramark, said: "It's been a joy to work with the Junior Fans' Forum to produce this special doughnut in celebration of Everton in the Community.

"Their creativity was the spark and I think together we've come up with something that all Evertonians will love.

"I'm sure it will be a popular matchday treat and hopefully we can help boost the funds for the charity, which continues to do such remarkable work for people across the city."

Despite missing out on the star baker crown, O’Brien enjoyed seeing what the Forum members had come up with and praised their efforts in supporting the charity and its participants. 

He said: “I’ve got to be honest, I’m not sure about Charly winning the star baker. I’ll let people judge for themselves when they see the video!  

“It was a really fun thing to do to come down here, meet the kids and see what they’ve been up to. The doughnuts look very tempting so hopefully there’ll be plenty sold on Saturday. It's a great idea and a great cause, so that’s the most important thing.”

Established in 1988, Everton in the Community has been providing a lifeline to those most in need across the Liverpool City Region for more than three decades, helping to create brighter futures and stronger communities through its innovative and impactful delivery. 

Today, the charity delivers more than 60 programmes tackling a range of social issues including education, anti-social behaviour, dementia, poverty and disability.  

To find out how you can support the work of Everton in the Community, visit evertoninthecommunity.org/support-us.

To find out more about the activities planned for Community Day, click here.  

And look out for the EitC fundraising doughnut on sale across concourses at Saturday’s match!