York City Foundation and City Cruises creating 'Christmas magic'

Following the success of last year’s partnership, York City FC Foundation and City Cruises have linked up again to purchase a pallet of over 150 presents which were donated to the City of York Council’s community hubs to be distributed to families in need of support this Christmas.

As well as this the annual player’s visit to York Hospital was renewed for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, with members of the first-team squad visiting children spending time in hospital over the Christmas period, handing out goody bags and raising spirits in the wards.

YCFC Foundation manager, Paula Stainton, said: “Christmas should be a magical time for all families, not a cause for extra stress for those families who are having to make the difficult decisions between heating and presents.

"We are delighted to have been able to offer such a large donation of toys again this year thanks to the support of City Cruises - and know they will make a huge difference to some families and bring a lot of smiles to the faces of children in our home city who may not otherwise receive presents this Christmas.

The team have collected more than 150 presents to support families this Christmas (Image: UGC)

"In addition, to the toy donation, we were also delighted to resurrect our visit to the children’s ward at York Hospital. We’ve continued to deliver gift bags, but haven’t been able to take the York City players into the ward since prior to the pandemic, so it was great to be able to visit again this year.”

The pandemic and ongoing cost of living crisis has hit the city’s economic activity and continues to affect low-income households with the pressure on families only increasing.

The foundation is offering free holiday activity places this week as part of the government’s Holiday Activity and Food programme - and provided over 200 advent calendars to many young people and a number of local charitable organisations including The Island, IDAS and Refugee Action York (RAY).

On behalf of City Cruises, lifelong York City fan, Jo Dykes, said: “We really appreciate the amazing work York City FC Foundation do for families and the community in York.

"We’ve been running Santa & Festive Experiences for more than 20 years at City Cruises and the delight it brings to young children is our motivation to keep it going year after year.

• READ MORE: A road in York is closed following a two-car crash in the area earlier today.

“Sadly, some families can’t afford to see Santa. We don’t believe any child should miss out on the joy of Christmas which is why we’re delighted to support the fantastic work the foundation as they provide gifts across the community hubs and York Hospital this Christmas."