A charity that uses sport to engage with the most vulnerable has turned its attention to supporting families this Christmas.
Liverpool Homeless Football Club is a club whose work supporting Merseyside's most vulnerable recently drew recognition at the ECHO awards. Founded by John Finnigan in 2007, the charity uses football as a means of bringing people together to reduce isolation, offer emotional support and giving them new opportunities.
The ECHO spent a day with the club in June this year and witnessed first hand how they brought structure, routine and guidance to the lives of the people who used the club. The people had all found themselves in difficult situations due to low income, homelessness or unemployment.
READ MORE: 'You don't turn your back on your family': A day with Liverpool Homeless Football Club
John told the ECHO the club's season, where football sessions for both men and women were held weekly, has ended until the start of next year. But their work has not finished with their programmes helping train people in food preparation and obtaining coaching badges continuing.
And they have also turned their attention to supporting families in Merseyside this Christmas. Previously the club provided toys for children - but have decided to focus this year on a "heat and eat" programme.
John told the ECHO : "We've decided to aim it at families this year. Last year we got 9,000 toys in for children. But this year we're trying to help families with food and fuel as there is no point providing toys to children if they're cold and hungry at the same time.
"We know we can't aim too big or it might be too much. We're looking to raise £10,000 - if we can help a hundred families with that this year that will be great."
John said the club has seen lots of new faces join since the ECHO spent the day with the team. He said a number of asylum seekers have joined and been supported by the club.
And a number of people have also moved on and are now living independently. John added: "There's no point in doing it if no one leaves - it's the most rewarding thing seeing people move on and know they don't need our support anymore."
When the ECHO spoke with John in June he admitted the club was struggling financially. He said: "We can't pull it... you don't turn your back on your family." And now John said: "It's still a struggle but we're getting by".
But John added: "People rely on our service and we have a responsibility to get the funding to support our lads and girls. Our focus at the moment is supporting families over the winter. We don't want anyone waking up on Christmas Day with no food."
You can donate to Liverpool Homeless FC's heat or eat appeal on the website here.
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