‘So generous’: Hull FC ex-players donate Christmas gifts to disadvantaged children in city
A TIME FOR GIVING: Keith Tindall, left, chair of Hull FC Ex-Players’ Association, gives one of the Christmas presents to Gemma Brown of Hull City Council’s children’s services, with former player Paul Hunter, background, and Chris Walker, MD of Summit Vans, right
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Disadvantaged children and young people in Hull who may not be expecting a Christmas present this year will get one after all thanks to some of the city’s sporting heroes.
Hull FC Ex-Players’ Association began fundraising in November with the aim of “making a small difference to the lives of some of Hull’s children this Christmas”.
Donating £10 each they raised the impressive sum of £880, which was match-funded by Hull firm Summit Vans, which is one of Hull FC’s main sponsors for the forthcoming 2024 Super League season.
After being put in touch with Hull City Council’s children’s services, they identified a cohort of children most in need this Christmas, who are aged between 16 and 18 and living in supported accommodation. The association learned they are “unlikely to receive any gifts this Christmas and or spend any time with family or loved ones”.
Among the items it was felt they would most benefit from are warm hoodies or jumpers, and toiletries, so the ex-players procured 75 hoodies, 75 pairs of thermal gloves plus 75 pairs of thermal socks on discounted rates from Ravensport, while also buying toiletries.
The individual presents have now been wrapped and were handed over to children’s services in a presentation at Kenworthy House in George Street, city centre. Staff said it was the largest donation they had received this year.
Keith Tindall, the association’s chairman and former Hull FC and England prop, said: “It’s massive for them at this time of year and something we wanted to do.
“Hopefully, we can encourage them to play sport, especially team sport, because that gives you discipline and if you’ve got self-discipline you can achieve anything.”
Councillor Linda Tock, the council’s portfolio holder for children’s services, said: “I think it’s absolutely fantastic and generous and so valuable for our young people, particularly those who don’t have a close relationship with their families. We are really grateful.”
Chris Walker, managing director of Hull firm Summit Vans, said: “We were only too happy to help and it means such a lot to young people to be able to get a present at Christmas.
“They were explaining to us it’s children and young people who might fall in the gap between being looked after by carers or who have had to leave home at 16 and they come here, and just to be able to give them something at Christmas when they probably won’t get a lot is great.
“It’s great to be able to give something back and support them.”
The donation is one of many fundraising activities undertaken by the ex-players’ association.
In June, members cycled from Rotterdam to Bruges and back to raise money for Andy’s Man Club. Last year they raised £25,000 for Alzheimer’s and dementia charities by cycling from Hull to St Helen’s. They also support local charities across the city.