Everton in the Community has raised more than £25,000 after taking over Hill Dickinson Stadium for its annual Community Day.
The official charity of Everton Football Club brought its work to the heart of the matchday experience on Saturday, 19 September, ahead of the Blues’ 1-0 Premier League victory over Ipswich Town.
Everton players showed their support by arriving at the stadium wearing pin badges featuring the Everton in the Community logo before warming up in special EitC training shirts.
Staff and volunteers from the charity were out in force around the stadium, handing out stickers, clappers and leaflets while supporters were given the opportunity to contribute through bucket collections.
Fans could also visit Everton in the Community’s information hub on the Plaza to discover more about the charity’s work across Liverpool and the wider City Region.
Staff were on hand to speak about initiatives including cancer support, free BEAT Breathlessness heart and lung screenings, mental health and wellbeing programmes, employability support and services for veterans.
The charity’s fundraising team also highlighted upcoming challenges and events, including the Liverpool Santa Dash and Tough Mudder.
A range of free family activities helped create a lively atmosphere outside the stadium, with supporters able to try an inflatable goal shoot-out and darts, while Liverpool samba group Katumba entertained crowds with a performance.
Everton in the Community’s presence continued inside Hill Dickinson Stadium, where Katumba performed pitch-side, the charity’s logo was displayed prominently in the centre circle and a large EitC flag was waved in the North Stand.
At half-time, supporters celebrated members of the charity’s community engagement programmes before two Everton in the Community volunteers attempted the club’s Hit The Bar challenge.
Hospitality guests were also able to take part in a silent auction across the stadium lounges, while supporters were encouraged to donate £5 for the chance to win a signed Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall shirt.
The Community Day activities helped raise more than £25,000 for the charity and its work supporting people across Merseyside.
Established in 1988, Everton in the Community is the charitable arm of Everton Football Club and uses the power of football to help drive social change and tackle challenges facing communities across the region.
For nearly four decades, the charity has delivered programmes supporting people most in need across Liverpool 4 and the wider Liverpool City Region.
Chief Executive Officer of Everton in the Community, Sue Gregory, said:
“Community Day is an incredibly important day in our calendar, allowing us to bring our work directly to our fantastic fanbase and showcase the life-changing work we’re committed to all year round.
“We are so proud of the positive impact Everton Football Club and Everton in the Community are making together, and I can’t thank the fans enough for their support.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who played their part at this year’s Community Day. Whether you were representing our charity as a member of staff or volunteer, you donated, or whether you scored the winning goal for the Toffees and made the day even more special – thank you.”
To find out how you can support Everton in the Community, click here.
