Accrington Stanley launches food bank collection

Accrington Stanley Football Club, The Accrington Stanley Community Trust, The Official Accrington Stanley Supporters Trust (OASST) and Amazing Accrington business leaders have once again launched plans to collect food supplies in aid of local charity Maundy Relief.

Once again there will be four locations for people to donate to the food bank including the Official Accrington Stanley Supporters Trust shop in Accrington Market, the Accrington Stanley Community Trust Café, Maundy Relief on Abbey Street, while the biggest collection point will be at Stanley’s home game on Saturday 26th November.

The OASST will be doing a collection between 12-3pm when Barnet visit the Wham Stadium and are encouraging supporters from both Clubs to bring along donations to the food bank on the day, however big or small.

At the 2021 food bank collection, owner of Accrington Stanley Andy Holt handed manager of Maundy Relief, Lucy Hardwick, £100 and challenged her to turn it into £500. Ms Hardwick and her team relished the challenge and following the 2021 #AmazingAccrington Christmas Light Switch On, they had almost doubled their target, raising nearly a fantastic £1,000.

Maundy Relief is known in the Hyndburn community for being a frontline response team who immediately help anyone in need. Their services are open to all and include help with physical, mental and emotional health.

Stanley assistant manager Jimmy Bell commented: “We love being part of this initiative every year and it’s something the players always enjoy getting involved in, and something they are keen to donate to themselves.”

Patron of Maundy Relief, Julie Hesmondhalgh, said: “This Christmas, more than ever, is going to be a difficult time for a lot of families and anything you can give will go a long way to helping those in need. There are four drop off points in the local area and all we ask is that you give what you can.”

Maundy Relief manager Lucy Hardwick, said: “Over the years the people of Hyndburn have been extremely generous in donating to the food bank appeal. It’s hard to put into words what these donations mean to us and people in the local area and anything you can give will be massively appreciated by families across the borough this Christmas.”

Amazing Accrington chair Murray Dawson, commented: “We are calling for all Amazing Accrington businesses to do their bit and support this appeal for a local charity that does so much for other people. We head up the #AmazingAccrington initiative which is all about giving our community the boost it deserves. We are incredibly proud to be a part of this and we hope you will be too.”

Peter Leatham, chairman of the OASST, said: “Christmas is a time for sharing and being there for each other, and what better way to do that then donating to the food bank appeal. Whether you are attending Stanley’s FA Cup game against Barnet on the 26th November, or simply just passing the area, please bring whatever you can spare.”

The items collected will be transported to Maundy Relief and will be used for food parcels that are available to all those in need this Christmas throughout the Hyndburn area.

The most sought after goods include UHT milk, coffee, biscuits, tinned meat/fish, soups, tinned beans and vegetables, as well as pasta, rice and pasta sauce.

For more information about Maundy Relief, visit www.maundyrelief.co.uk

List of drop off points

Official Accrington Stanley Supporters Trust Shop, Accrington Market Hall, Location 19, Peel St, Accrington, BB5 1ER (Open Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri – 9am-3pm and Saturday 9am-2pm)

Maundy Relief, 29-31 Abbey Street, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 1EN (Open Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 4pm)

Accrington Stanley Community Trust Café, Thorneyholme Rd, Accrington, BB5 6BD (Open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm)

The Wham Stadium, Accrington Stanley Football Club, Livingstone Rd, Accrington, BB5 5BX, (Saturday 26th November - 12-3pm)