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Newcastle United and Foundation launch community Christmas campaign
Newcastle United and Newcastle United Foundation have launched their annual A Helping Hand at Christmas campaign which will engage and support thousands of people across the region over the festive period.
A Helping Hand at Christmas includes a number of community pledges, with support to help tackle food poverty and provide warm safe spaces, as well as creating magical experiences for local people during December.
The campaign will once again feature a volunteering programme for club and Foundation staff, with around 6,000 hours contributed towards good causes throughout the North East.
The volunteering will see initial support for the Newcastle West End Foodbank during one of its busiest months of the year, while the Magpies will also be creating collection points for food donations during December.
With food poverty continuing to rise within the region, Newcastle United will be providing Christmas dinners at St. James' Park for a number of families who rely on support from Newcastle United Foundation and a number of their community outreach programmes.
Alongside this, the Foundation will continue to open its doors to NUCASTLE, the state-of-the-art community hub based five minutes away from St. James' Park, providing warm, safe spaces each evening with additional physical and educational activities for all ages.
Through the Foundation's community education programmes, A Helping Hand at Christmas will also engage with thousands of children in over 100 schools from some of the region's most deprived areas, giving young people access to unique experiences.
Speaking on A Helping Hand at Christmas, Newcastle United CEO Darren Eales commented: "Last year our Christmas campaign made vital contributions to our community and it is so important that we continue offering support for people living in, and around, our city.
"The football club plays such a huge role in the lives of people in Newcastle and we recognise that we are privileged to be in a position to make a difference to those who most need it.
"There are a number of activities taking place throughout December and I'm extremely proud of our staff who will be giving their time to support the community as part of our new volunteering programme."
Steve Beharall, Newcastle United Foundation CEO, said: "Community is at the heart of what we do and for more than 15 years, Newcastle United Foundation has worked passionately to support thousands of people across the North East to improve lives, boost wellbeing, create opportunities and inspire change.
"We are proud to once again join the club this Christmas as part of our shared commitment in supporting our region to make Newcastle and the North East the best it can be.
"We understand the very real challenges our communities are facing at the moment and by working together on this campaign, we aim to provide positive and lasting change for children, families, young adults and older generations throughout December."
As part of the month-long A Helping Hand at Christmas campaign, Newcastle United's men and women's first team players will be paying their traditional visit to youngsters in the city's hospital wards, spending time with patients, their families and NHS staff.
A Helping Hand at Christmas activities will be detailed on club and Foundation digital channels throughout the festive period.
"We recognise that we are privileged to be in a position to make a difference to those who most need it... I'm extremely proud of our staff who will be giving their time to support the community as part of our new volunteering programme."