Each year, members of the first-team squad and mascot Chaddy the Owl go to the Royal Oldham Hospital to visit children who are not fortunate enough to spend the festive period at home.
Last year’s Toy Appeal, in association with academy sponsors, the Safeguard Group, was an enormous success and saw hundreds of toys donated.
This year the club and Safeguard Group want to do it bigger and better. They are asking everyone going Christmas shopping to buy an extra present and drop it off at one of the official drop off points.
Non match days:
- Oldham Athletic Main Reception/ Ticket office
Match days:
- Boundary Blues tuck shops located in the Zen Office Chaddy End and the Verlin stand.
- Laticszone 12.30pm – 2.45pm
- With any 'Happy to Help' representative.
Toys and gifts are needed for boys and girls aged 0/16 years. Please bring them unwrapped so they can be sorted into the appropriate age and gender categories. It will also test the players' and management's wrapping skills as they are being drafted in to help.
Latics’ Commercial Manager and Supporter Liaison Officer, Jenny Warburton, has been involved with the Christmas visit for the past four years and was overwhelmed at the success of last year’s appeal.
She said: "Christmas is an especially awful time to have a loved one in hospital and children especially should be at home with their families at this time of year.
"Last year's visit was wonderfully chaotic as there was so many presents. It is so overwhelming to see the amazing job undertaken by the staff on the Chrildren’s ward especially at this time of year and we want to do everything we can to help them give these children and their families the best possible Christmas.
"I know it means a lot to the players to be able to give a little bit of Christmas cheer to the kids. I truly am grateful to everyone who donated last year and my thanks also goes out to the Safeguard Group and the Oldham Athletic Community Trust for their involvement."
Ben Ingham Education Community and Sales Lead for Safeguard Group added: "We are delighted to be part of Latics Christmas Toy Appeal. Last year saw the club raise a record number of gifts for children in hospital who aren't able to spend Christmas at home and we were thrilled to get involved and help out.
"Once again we will be having our own collection point and of course we will be demonstrating our skills with the big wrapping event. It's a great cause and we are proud to be part of the Latics team."
Please ensure that gifts are received by 12pm on Monday, December 15 to give us enough time to organise the gifts before the visit on December 18. Anything that will help to give these children a better Christmas would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.