Blackpool FC Christmas collection reaches £82,622 for local children

As promised, this sum will now be matched by the staff and partners of Segantii Capital Management, Blackpool FC owner Simon Sadler and his wife Gillian, taking the overall amount raised to a grand total of £82,622.

Blackpool FC and BFC Community Trust thank all fans, businesses, organisations, staff and players for their generosity in raising this sum.

The original target set was £25,000 to provide presents for 700-800 children of primary school age who would otherwise have gone without this Christmas. However, the amount raised will enable the Trust to go beyond that number.

Thanks to these kind donations, the Trust can now provide 855 gifts to primary school children in Blackpool, 200 gifts to BetterStart Blackpool for children up to the age of four, 168 gifts to primary school children in local areas such as Thornton, Cleveleys, Poulton and St Annes, and 241 gift vouchers for secondary school children in years seven and eight across Blackpool.

The organisers will investigate ways to extend this initiative further, and anticipate that money left over will finance other initiatives for children in 2021.

BFC owner Sadler said: “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who donated.

"I am humbled by the way that the town and wider community has come together to support this initiative.

"It gives me an immense sense of pride to see our fans, local businesses and all at the Club and Trust, particularly in this most testing of years, working collectively to address these issues and helping us to go way beyond what we first envisaged.”

BFCCT chief executive Ashley Hackett said: “Never in my wildest dreams did I expect so many people to support our campaign.

" I would like to thank you all for your support and generosity. One of the most heart-warming parts has been reading everyone’s comments when donating.

“The fundraiser has become something much more successful than we expected and now gives us the opportunity to impact so many more children in our town and community.”