Following a pledge of financial support from the Manchester United players and club staff, the Santa’s Red Helpers campaign aims to encourage fans to also donate where possible, to provide Christmas presents and food parcels for those who may otherwise go without. Club and Foundation volunteers will also help to fund, pack and deliver items for those in need.

Fans’ contributions will go towards providing food, gifts and support to vulnerable children this winter. Fans will be able to give whatever they can, however will be encouraged by three levels of donation: 

• A present for £15 – provide gifts for a young person this winter
• A stocking for £100 – provide meals for a family for a week and gifts for the children 
• A sleigh for £1,000 – provide food parcels and gifts for 10 families this winter

This Christmas will be very different for lots of children, so it’s never been more important that the Foundation and its wider network of supporters from all over the world are there to help. Even a small donation could make an enormous difference to a child this winter.

The campaign follows Manchester United Foundation’s ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic since the outbreak in March 2020, and once again there is a partnership with FareShare Greater Manchester to provide practical support to communities around Manchester following the previous collaboration to provide free school meals during the October half-term break.

John Shiels, CEO of Manchester United Foundation, said: “The partnership with FareShare GM is so important to this campaign, and we are thankful that once again they will provide food that our our staff to prepare, package and deliver. Your donations will enable us to do this, and ensure that families will receive a hot meal this winter. 

“We often hear about the United Family and it’s important that families help one another out, especially at Christmas. There are many people out there who are really struggling, but by our players, staff and fans becoming Red Helpers, we will be able to secure that basic child right of having food in their bellies and something nice to open on Christmas Day.”

Click here to find out more about the campaign and how you can make a difference to those in need this Christmas by becoming one of Santa’s Red Helpers.