Salford City teammates Jon Taylor, Junior Luamba and Kelly Nmai swapped scoring goals for delivering food packs as the club partnered with Foundation 92 and Islamic Relief to hand out essentials in the local community.
The Ammies’ trio, members of the club’s affiliate charity Foundation 92 and Abdulla Alamun of charitable non-governmental organisation Islamic Relief knocked on doors in the Kersal area, distributing food packages and match tickets as part of an initiative to tackle the cost of living crisis.
Last year in Salford, 20,690 people were helped with food parcels. As winter approaches without additional cost of living payments for those on low incomes, and with energy bills on the rise, the work carried out by Foundation 92 and other charities to alleviate some of the strain becomes increasingly important.
One person who gets it is Salford City attacker Taylor. While the energetic winger has only started once this season, he is quickly becoming a fan favourite for his bright, bubbly personality off the pitch.
“I’m out here today with Kelly, Junior and the guys from the foundation just trying to do as much as we can, and hopefully, we’ll put a smile on people’s faces,” he explained.
“Getting involved in the local community is so important, especially by giving out the tickets. It’s great to try and get fans to come to the games. They get to meet the players and realise that we are normal people having normal conversations knocking on doors.”
Working alongside the Salford City players, Muslim faith-based charity Islamic Relief were well-represented by their UK Programmes Manager Alamun, who travelled from London to get involved in the distribution effort.
“Thank you to Salford FC and Foundation 92 for allowing us to partner with them in providing food packs containing dry food items to the local community,” he said.
Islamic Relief provides essential support worldwide to tackle poverty and improve access to food. The group has partnered with local organisations to distribute 42,000 packs to people across the UK.
Alamun explained: “We understand with the cost of living crisis and energy crisis people really need support here, and if we can work with partners who are in the community to be able to help locally with the foodbanks, at least that’s one burden off the shoulder.
“It is amazing for the local community to meet the players. Can you imagine seeing them on the TV or on Saturday, then having them knock on your door giving out essential food packs?
“That’s what today is about for Salford City FC, Foundation 92 and Islamic Relief: to be at the heart of the community, to have those conversations and to give out the food packages.”
Damon Traverse, Head of Media and Partnerships at Foundation 92, noted that this was an opportunity for Salford City FC to support its local fanbase.
“These are all people on the club’s doorstep who need support and are part of the fanbase, people who want to come and be involved with the club.
“It’s great to have that close connection to show there is more than football – more than just playing on a Saturday.
“Foundation 92 supports areas of the community, young and old, providing help through various programmes including health, youth and education schemes.”
Credit: Edward Hayton
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