Warriors’ players Chris Pennell and Justin Clegg have launched the Gallagher Premiership club’s annual Christmas Campaign to help fuel the Worcester Foodbank.
England full-back Pennell and lock Clegg made the first donations of much-needed items which will be given to the foodbank in time for Christmas.
Collection boxes will be placed outside the East Stand and West Stand entrances at Sixways at Friday’s Gallagher Premiership match against Harlequins and again for the European Challenge Cup match against French club Pau on December 15.
A collection box will also be placed in the main reception at the stadium so that supporters, suppliers and visitors can support the initiative on non-matchdays.
“This is something really important. As a club we are very keen to give something back to the local community,” Clegg said.
“It’s important that we recognise that there are people who are not as fortunate as we are as professional sportsmen. We are all in this together and the more we can help them, the better, particularly with Christmas coming.
“The players have started making donations but we want everyone to join in – supporters, visitors to the club, the whole of Worcester.”
The Christmas Campaign is one of the many projects that Warriors players are extensively involved in across Worcestershire through the Warriors Community Foundation.
“The boys love getting out into the community and being a part of the community,” Clegg said.
“We enjoy doing something other than rugby. We want the fans to come out and support us so it’s important that we get out and do something for the community too.”
Christmas items needed for the foodbank: Christmas puddings, mince pies, tinned custard, Christmas cake, new toys and children’s gifts, tinned ham (quality), tinned turkey (quality), tinned sausages, tinned potatoes, stuffing and gravy, cranberry sauce, Christmas treats and goodies.
Other urgently-needed items: strong carrier bags, coffee, fruit juice (long-life), milk (long-life), tinned rice, peanut butter, crackers, washing powder, shampoo, toilet cleaner, toilet rolls, sponge puddings, tinned fruit, tin openers.
Cash donations and gift cards are also accepted.