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Her Game Too is once again supporting a Christmas charity appeal that unites sports clubs in south west England to help provide festive hampers to families in need.
Operation Community Hamper is aiming to compile and deliver a record 1,000 hampers of luxury items, including food, confectionery and toiletries, with Her Game Too volunteers supporting with collections and hamper packing.
The initiative was launched in Bristol as Operation Christmas Hamper in 2020 and has grown from providing 19 hampers to disadvantaged families in its first year to 656 last year, with a committee of 20 volunteers and a five-strong team of trustees now leading the project.
This year, First Bus have provided a Carol Bus, with lights, music and Father Christmas on board to collect donations, while Bristol Rovers, Gas Girls, Gloucestershire Cricket Club, Bristol City and the Robins Foundation are all supporting donation opportunities and raising awareness of fundraising.
Now re-branded as Operation Community Hamper after registering as a charity in July this year, the initiative has grown to support hundreds of people in the community all year round.
This involves funding enrichment activities for vulnerable children, providing practical support to those in financial difficulties, giving out Easter eggs and a range of other activities - in addition to continuing with Christmas hampers and gifts.
When a series of ongoing events to collect donations concludes next week, including at the home games of Bristol Rovers and Bristol City, an army of volunteers, including Her Game Too ambassadors, will gather to pack and deliver the hampers over the next fortnight.
Charlotte Churchill, a Bristol Rovers fan who founded OCH and is the project’s Chief Elf, said: “I am humbled and a little nervous by the ‘legs’ Operation Community Hampers has and the momentum it keeps building.
“From little acorns big oak trees certainly have grown, without it being a conscious choice initially for it to become something of this size.
“Her Game Too have been involved with OCH for three years now and we’re very grateful for the campaign’s continued support, as we feel it aligns well with us - not only due to the sporting connections, but also as Her Game Too supports equality, which is exactly what we are trying to work towards as well.”
Lucy Ford, Her Game Too’s Head of Grassroots and Administration and an OCH volunteer, said: “We are delighted to continue our support for OCH as it’s so important to give back to the local community.
“The growth of OCH over the last four years is testament to Charlotte and her team’s dedication to making a difference and we are so proud to play our part again.”
Ken Major, who is part of the OCH committee, said: “Looking ahead to 2025, we are hoping to hold a quiz night and, following the success of the event this year, our second summer fayre, while there are also discussions about a charity football match and a gala evening.
“There are several ways the community can support OCH - including by making a financial donation to help send children to an enrichment activity throughout the year, helping to buy a present for a child at Christmas, donating a food item for a Christmas hamper or organising a collection in their workplace.
“We welcome any support and are always accepting new members, including to our 2,600-strong Facebook group Operation Community Hamper CIO.”
To donate or find out more, visit the OCH website or email info@operationch.co.uk
The OCH team will be collecting donations at the Memorial Stadium ahead of Bristol Rovers vs Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, 7 December, and the OCH Carol Bus will be at Ashton Gate on Saturday, 14 December to receive donations at Bristol City vs Queens Park Rangers.
The Carol Bus will be driving around the following towns between 6pm and 8pm on:
Thursday, 5 December: Weston-super-Mare and Worle
Friday, 6 December: Bath
Saturday, 7 December: Southmead, Westbury and Filton
Sunday, 8 December: Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke, Stoke Gifford and Abbey Wood
Monday, 9 December: Sea Mills, Lawrence Weston and Henbury
Tuesday, 10 December: Kingswood, Downend, Staple Hill and Fishponds
Wednesday, 11 December: Nailsea, Clevedon and Portishead
Thursday, 12 December: Longwell Green, Hanham and Keynsham
