As part of the EFL’s Christmas in the Community campaign, Grimsby Town Football Club was proud to open the doors of Blundell Park this week to host a festive meal for people supported by Harbour Place, the local homeless charity in Grimsby.

Working closely with the Grimsby Town Foundation, we welcomed a group from Harbour Place for a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. Guests enjoyed turkey, roast potatoes, vegetables, Christmas pudding, and the chance to share lunch with First Team Manager David Artell.

Following the meal, the group were given a guided tour of Blundell Park, exploring areas of the stadium rarely seen by the public and learning more about the history and heartbeat of the club.

About Harbour Place

Harbour Place is a registered local charity supporting more than 400 people every year. Their work focuses on those who are homeless, vulnerably housed, or who have recently experienced homelessness.
Their services include:

• A night shelter open every night of the year
• Street outreach teams supporting rough sleepers
• Access to hot food, showers, clothing and essential items
• Tailored advice and ongoing support to help people rebuild their lives
• Close collaboration with partner agencies to ensure individuals receive the best possible pathway to positive change

Their vital work is only possible thanks to the generosity of the local community. To find out more or to get involved, you can contact: jessicaburnette@harbourplacegrimsby.org.uk

Polly Bancroft, Chief Executive at Grimsby Town Football Club, said: “The local community is hugely important to Grimsby Town Football Club. You only have to look at the position of Blundell Park, surrounded by rows of terraced houses in Cleethorpes, to understand how connected this club is to its people.

Our charitable arm, the Grimsby Town Foundation, delivers courses, education and support across the area every single day, and Christmas is always a particularly important time for us to be active in the community.

The local community supports this club week in, week out, so it’s really nice to be able to give something back at Christmas time. Hosting this meal with Harbour Place was a simple way to show our appreciation and to offer a small moment of warmth and togetherness during the festive period.”

Andrew Brown, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Harbour Place, added: “This was this a fantastic experience for some of our service users and we would like to thank everyone who made it possible. The ongoing support that Harbour Place receives from Grimsby Town FC is incredibly important to us. Their reach into the community helps build awareness and support for charities like Harbour Place, which helps us keep providing vital support to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”

EFL’s Christmas in the Community Week is a national celebration running from Monday 8th to Tuesday 23rd December. The campaign shines a spotlight on the incredible work carried out by EFL clubs and their Community Organisations throughout the festive period.

As part of this week of action, clubs across the country will take part in fundraising efforts, community meals, outreach programmes and initiatives that support health, wellbeing, education and social connection.

Grimsby Town FC is proud to stand alongside fellow EFL clubs in championing the power of football to bring people together, lift spirits, and make a tangible difference in the lives of local families.

This event forms part of the wider efforts between Grimsby Town and the Grimsby Town Foundation to support vulnerable individuals and promote positive change within our community, not just at Christmas, but all year round.

Find out more about the work of Grimsby Town Foundation here.

UTM