Rushden football team donates hundreds of items to local charity with 'heartwarming' food drive

The first team as well as the youth teams and local fans brought goods ranging from tea and soup to shower gel and nappies to the ground at Hayden Road before the club’s match against New Bradwell St Peter on Saturday (December 20).

Aidy Mann, chairman of Rushden & Higham, said: “Rushden and Higham FC is a part of the community in Rushden, we know that there are local people who are struggling to get by, especially at Christmas.

"It’s important to us that we act as a community hub and help those who need it.

“It was great to see so many donations from our players, coaches and fans. I’m proud to lead a club that plays an important role in the local community.”

Younger teams acted as mascots, forming a guard of honour for the first team in their festive clash, where the home team rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win the match 4-3.

Encompass is a Rushden-based charity supporting those living in poverty by providing advice, a day centre, and medium-term accommodation, as well as parcels of food, toiletries, cleaning products and fresh produce using its food bank.

At half-time, young players enjoyed a kickabout before joining a Christmas Grinch-like figure inside the club house, where food was presented to representatives from the food bank.

Lyzette Brett, who volunteers at Encompass, was overwhelmed at the donations of perishable goods, tinned food, toiletries and snacks.

She said: “It’s fantastic, it will help so many families at this time of year. It’s everything really, people are sitting there with nothing and we can help with a parcel. It’s so heartwarming to see this much food donated.

“It makes me choke up, especially at this time of year, it’s amazing. I can’t explain what this means to people.

"I’d really like to thank the club - community is everything and when we pull together like this it really shows how we can help each other.”