Swansea City Academy Support Shoebox Appeal

Swansea City academy has donated to this year’s Samaritan's Purse shoebox appeal, which brings the Christmas spirit to those who are less fortunate around the world.

In 2023, the Swans' under-18s and staff created and delivered over 18 boxes for the appeal. This year, the under-nines to under-18s have all taken part, and have created over 121 boxes which will be distributed across the globe to children and families in need.

The campaign - founded by The Samaritan's Purse - has been active since 1993 and has reached more than 209 million children in over 170 countries. 

Hannah Atkins and staff at Operation Christmas Child hosted a packing party for all age-groups and staff. The boxes will be sent off for distribution in mid-November.

"It was a pleasure for the academy to participate and support the shoebox appeal," said Swansea City head of academy, Jordan Morris.

"The academy players not only contributed to a worthy cause, but also applied the values of empathy, teamwork, and community. It is a reminder the impact that football has can go beyond the pitch."

"Samaritan’s Purse was a campaign we introduced to the Academy in December 2023. Our first and second year scholars designed 17 personal shoeboxes for people in need and who were victims of war, poverty, natural disasters and disease," said assistant head of education, Jack Pritchard.

"After the organisation had spotted some media content of our under-18s, they contacted us to form a relationship for this coming winter. Our vision of this project for 2024 was to align the entire Academy from our Foundation Phase (U9-U12), Youth Development Phase (U13-U16) and Professional Development Phase to take part in a packing party. 

"Through weeks of planning, we successfully crafted 121 shoeboxes on behalf of Swansea City Academy. Furthermore, on Thursday 12th December, our full-time apprentices have volunteered to attend the processing centre in Cardiff, loading shoeboxes into containers to ship overseas. 

"We are extremely proud to have played a small part for what is a fantastic campaign, and we look forward to many more projects in the future."