Collingwood’s players, coaches and staff are giving back to those doing it tough this Christmas in partnership with Coles and the Salvation Army.
Christmas can be one of the most loneliest times of the year for those doing it tough.
According to the Salvation Army, 1.9 million Australians will seek help through charity this holiday season, and over 54% of those are doing so for the first time.
That's why this Christmas, Collingwood’s people have wrapped gifts to donate to those who need it most in our community.
With the help of Coles and Grants of Australia, over 600 bags of essential items, food and gifts have been packed for those in our community who may not be able to celebrate this Christmas.
All gift packs will be handed at out at the Club’s annual Magpie Nest Christmas Day Lunch held at the KGM Centre.
The lunch has become one of the biggest in Melbourne on Christmas Day with hundreds of guests from the Magpie Nest Cafe invited to attend for a day of celebration, connection, a place to belong and of course a Christmas meal.
Collingwood ruckman and member of the AFL Leadership Group Darcy Cameron said the initiative was an important way the Club can support those doing it tough in the community.
“It’s great to be able to wrap presents for those from our Magpie Nest Cafe,” said Cameron.
“Hopefully being able to open a gift on Christmas Day can be a little thing that makes the day the special.”
Major Brendan Nottle, Commanding Officer of the Salvation Army, highlighted how the initiative is a great example of organisations coming together to give back.
“This is corporate Australia and sporting Australia at its absolute very, very best. Coles have turned up and been extremely generous and donated all of this amazing food and Collingwood have brought all the players in who have been packing all of these bags and have done an amazing job,” said Nottle.
“All of the hampers will be distributed to almost 600 people on Christmas Day who would otherwise have absolutely nowhere else to go.
“The packs are not just a gift, they’re a powerful reminder to people who would otherwise be forgotten that there are people out there somewhere who are actually thinking about them and caring about them this Christmas.”
