Swansea City players support 'Everyone Deserves a Christmas' campaign

Swansea City first-team squad members joined club ambassador Lee Trundle and countless volunteers from the Swansea City AFC Foundation and wider community to support the 'Everyone Deserves a Christmas' campaign.

Ben Cabango, Nathan Wood, Harry Darling and Ollie Cooper were on hand, as was Swansea City Ladies midfielder Katy Hosford, to aid the cause.

Now in its sixth year, the city-wide campaign, championed by Carolyn Harris MP, aims to provide a Christmas meal for families who are struggling in the local community.

The Swans stars were part of the volunteer team which helped pack more than 800 hampers on Wednesday, while Ospreys in the Community, Julie James MS, the South Wales Evening Post, Swansea Council, Bay Studios, Amazon and numerous local businesses were also backed the campaign and played their part in helping to bring Christmas cheer to families in Swansea and the surrounding area.

“The Swans have been absolutely fantastic in supporting this year on year," said Harris, the MP for Swansea East.

“As well as the hampers, we’ll also be doing a cooked meal on Christmas Eve and providing selection boxes and treats to others, so we’ll probably reach around 2,000 families in total.

“It’s important that families in Swansea are looked after, especially at Christmas, and this year that is the case more than ever as we have had more demand on us to provide hampers and festive food."

Swans defender Darling added: “It’s really important that we as players support things like this.

“It’s nice for us to come here, help people and give something back to the community.

“When we got asked to come down and help, we were more than happy to do that because we know it’s such a good cause.”

With the packing completed on Wednesday, Thursday saw the hampers delivered around the city.

Trundle was among the many staff from across the club and Foundation who took the hampers to the doorsteps of those who needed them most.

Paul France, head of Swansea City AFC Foundation, added: “We have a mission to use Swansea City as a force for positive change within our community, and that’s exactly what 'Everyone Deserves a Christmas' does.

"It’s a wonderful project but it’s very sad that it’s needed. This is the sixth year of the project and the demand had been growing year on year.

"When you consider the cost of living crisis and energy costs, a lot of people are in difficult situations this year.

“It’s great that all our staff have been down here packing and delivering the hampers.”