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Glos teams up with Bristol Rovers for Operation Christmas Hamper

16 November 2022

As the cost-of-living crisis bites, close neighbours Gloucestershire Cricket and Bristol Rovers are teaming up to help a kind-hearted Keynsham mum make Christmas dreams come true for those who most need it.

Operation Christmas Hamper started in September 2020 in the midst of Lockdown, when Charlotte Churchill - service manager for Always Precious, a company that works with families in crisis – decided that no child or parent should go without a gift on Christmas Day. On a quest to bring smiles at Christmas, Charlotte embarked on a mission to assemble, wrap and deliver Christmas hampers to people in need in Bristol and surrounding areas.

Two years down the line and with an increase in demand, Charlotte is in need of a helping hand with the creation of these special gifts - and that’s where Gloucestershire and Rovers come in.

The Seat Unique Stadium, the home of Gloucestershire Cricket and Bristol Rovers’ Memorial Stadium, will both act as donation drop off sites for goodwilled members of the public. Anyone wishing to donate items to Operation Christmas Hamper (a list of suggested items can be found at the bottom of this story), can do so by dropping them into either Glos or Rovers.

Donation information:

Before Saturday 10 December – Gloucestershire Cricket Reception, Seat Unique Stadium, Nevil Road, Bristol BS7 9EJ (9am - 5pm Mon - Thurs and 9am - 3pm Fri).

On Saturday 10 December ONLY – Bristol Rovers, The Memorial Stadium, Filton Avenue, Horfield BS7 0BF.

The Memorial Stadium will then be used as a venue for hamper packing after Bristol Rovers’ home match v Port Vale on Saturday 10 December.

Charlotte’s campaign has the support of around 600 people, all of whom are passionate about gifting hampers to strangers as a gesture of goodwill. The group aims to make as many Christmas hampers as possible and package toiletry hampers and second-hand good quality toys and gifts, as some parents have no money to buy their children anything.

Rovers fan Charlotte, said: “Having a big space at The Mem will make the job so much more swift and effective, plus it’s my happy place and has been since we started playing there.

“I am overwhelmed and so grateful with the support from both Rovers and Gloucestershire Cricket.”

Jess Jones, Community Programmes Officer at Glos, commented: “We are always looking at ways we can support our community both in Bristol and wider Gloucestershire, and we’re excited to be working with Bristol Rovers, our nearest neighbours, to help support Charlotte and her team in this amazing initiative and help make a difference this Christmas.”

Adam Tutton, CEO of Bristol Rovers Community Trust, added: “We are delighted to support Charlotte in this initiative. She is a wonderful woman and the support she provides to our wider community is outstanding.”

If you are interested in helping out with hamper packing or donating to this fabulous cause, contact media@bristolroverscommunity.org.uk or community@glosccc.co.uk.

Suggested items for donation:

• Hot chocolate
• Marshmallows (for hot chocolate)
• Small chocolate pieces or sprinkles for the top 
• Squirty cream
• Tubes of sweets/chocolates 
• Tubs of Celebrations, Roses etc 
• Pickles, chutneys and jams 
• Nutella, honey
• Cakes - mince pies or festive cakes
• Pringles/Twiglets/Cheeselets
• Tea bags 
• Coffee
• Boxes of latte/caramel latte/cappuccino 
• Variety boxes of cereal 
• Boxes of chocolates 
• Selection boxes 
• Boxes of biscuits for cheese 
• Stuffing
• Bottles of Ribena or similar
• Sweets 
• Christmas crackers
• A voucher for Greggs or similar (that only food can be bought in).

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