THE Burton Albion Academy has donated gifts to the Derek’s Tree charity, to provide toys for children less fortunate than themselves.
Players from all age groups attended ‘Santa hat’ training during the last week, and they brought presents, both new and used, to be donated.
Players from the under 18s team went into the Cooper’s Square shopping centre to meet with Derek Liddle, the creator of Derek’s Tree, and top present him with the gifts to be donated.
The charity gives shoppers the chance to donate by taking a tag, which contains the name of a child that has very little and the gift they would like, and buying them a gift.
More than 50 gifts were donated by Academy players to the charity. Mr Liddle was thrilled with the gesture and believes that a successful festive period for Derek’s Tree is a reflection on the people of Burton-Upon-Trent.
He said: “These donations are fantastic, we have had the best year ever. Every single tag went this year and we are overwhelmed by the generosity of the Burton people.
“It has been our biggest year ever, we are getting on for 4000 donations, which when you work it out is probably around £60,000.
“The impact it has on the people of Burton and South Derbyshire is the trust. We are a local charity and the trust is there, we have been going for 23 years and people trust us, which is so important.
“It is very important that we stick together as a community, I am very pleased that Burton Albion were able to be here to support us, it all goes to a good cause and it is just phenomenal.”