It's (nearly) Christmaaaaaaaaaas!

The Woking FC Christmas Project

Noddy Holder and Slade will be on the radio soon, so it must be time for the Woking Football Club Christmas Project, which expands each year and promises to be bigger than ever with your help. In particular we need 4 volunteer bucket collectors at the Eastleigh (3rd) and Sutton (13th) games.

The project began three years ago when we visited the Royal Surrey Hospital, St Peter's and Christopher’s Hospice. The children who are hospital bound at this time of year are always pretty ill and it is moving to see their response as they meet real life footballers, get their shirts autographed and talk about how mad they are about Chelsea, Man United or Liverpool! Christopher's is a children’s hospice, which is for young people not expected to survive their teens. The Royal Surrey has just opened a teenage cancer ward and is desperate for books and computer games for the kids to use.

One year a mum emailed back: “you probably noticed John is very shy, he really enjoyed meeting you all, he is absolutely obsessed with football and has been pouring over all the goodies you gave him ever since. He is now googling Ross's name and Charlton Athletic!

You mentioned that John might be able to come to see a game some time. He would really enjoy that. His father died very suddenly in January of this year, they spent so much time playing, watching and talking about football and I think he really misses the banter and obsession with it all that Pete could share with him- I try but am a very poor substitute. So if you were able to arrange a game for him to see that would be great for him.�

Two years ago Jane Spong suggested we take some hampers to the elderly and needy in the community and that has been added to the repertoire. One elderly man commented that he was alone and had nothing special for Christmas lunch until we arrived while at another younger family we heard their cheers and woops of delight as we shut the door and walked back down the path.

Garry Hill, Steve Thompson and the players have enthusiastically agreed to participate again this year – they will contribute generously financially themselves and do the visits on Tuesday 20th December. The staff and directors will again play their part and we will have 2 bucket collections on 3rd (Eastleigh) and 13th (Sutton) December for you, the fans to contribute. Our aim is to break the record and collect over £1200!

How you can help!

• Contributions of new toys, tins and packets of food can be left at the club shop between December 3rd and 18th.
  
  
• Financial donations can be transferred directly to The Matrix Trust and will be used 100% for the project – please email me for details


• Financial donations can be contributed at the bucket collections

Please refer any further questions and volunteer to help with the buckets via iannicholson@matrixtrust.com or 07976351891

Thanks for your support.