MEMBERS of the Burton Albion squad joined up with the Donna Louise Trust at the Pirelli Stadium for a very special Christmas party.
Lucas Akins, Jon McLaughlin, Kyle McFadzean, Shaun Barker, Tom Naylor, Ben Turner and Lee Williamson were on hand to play games with the children and hand out festive selection boxes to all those in attendance.Â
The Donna Louise Trust is a registered children's charity caring and supporting children with life-limiting conditions and their families across Cheshire and Staffordshire.
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Manager Nigel Clough was in attendance to present a framed signed shirt to Chris Belyavin, of the Donna Louise Trust.
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Andy Taylor, Chief Executive of Burton Albion Community Trust, said: “We’re delighted to host the Christmas party for the Donna Louise Trust at the Pirelli Stadium. Our relationship with the charity has grown over the past year so to be able to host an event like this is brilliant for the football club, the community trust and the Donna Louise Trust. It’s fantastic that some of the playing squad have taken some time out to pay a visit to the Christmas party."
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Chris Belyavin, Relationship Manager at Donna Louise Trust, said: “This means a lot. We have always struggled to have a high-profile in Burton and our families down here have always felt a little bit remote so to team up with the club has transformed things for us. The Burton families are now feeling part of the hospice.”
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The Freekicks Foundation has been working with Burton Albion Community Trust to donate mascot packages to the people of Burton and surrounding areas. When Burton Albion faced Huddersfield Town at the Pirelli Stadium, Amber Cartwright led the Brewers out in front of over 4,500 fans thanks to the Freekicks Foundation.
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“Amber was the mascot here last week, she is the sister of Lucy who comes to the hospice,” said Chris. “I thought it was fantastic, I was here that night and I actually felt humble and proud that we as a charity working with the football club have been able to make it happen. That family is going through a tough time at the moment, Lucy has been in hospital for a week and she came out on Tuesday so for them to come and have an evening like that was fantastic. I thought it was very important to make our families feel good, and that did. I felt proud and I’m very grateful to Freekicks and Burton Albion for making it happen.”