Spreading a little cheer throughout the area

The club was one of 37 associated community trusts and Scottish Professional League sides who took part in the league’s annual Festive Friends gift box programme.

The project is now into its fifth year, but with life looking very different this year, the SPFL Trust teamed up with the 37 groups to launch a new ‘at home’ version of the programme which aims to support socially isolated older people.

Michelle Brand, secretary of the East Fife Community Football club, said: “The day was a great success.

“Volunteers from East Fife Community Football Club, Arden House, Leven Rotary, along with Liam Newton, chairman Jim Stevenson, director John Donaldson and the community club young leaders were out delivering one day and Methilhill Strollers the next.

“Working in partnership with Arden House and Leven Rotary Club we were able to identify residents that were most vulnerable and in need of a door step delivery.

“It was very fulfilling visiting our elderly residents.

“Despite the restrictions placed upon them, they were in good spirits.”

Funding previously announced from James Anderson and the SPFL Trust’s second anonymous donor meant that a total of £87,700 was committed to this year’s campaign.

More than 2400 people received a doorstep visit to their home and a Christmas hamper, delivered by friendly faces from their local SPFL club.

One of the local recipients said: “I wish to send my heartfelt and most sincere thanks to you all for the marvellous and brilliantly, thoughtfully chosen items in the Christmas hamper delivered here.

“I am as I should be, very much housebound and in lockdown at this time.

“The Christmas Hamper is a Godsend.

“Everything included is the stuff of a dream come true - perfect.”

Other local businesses that supported the initiative BY donating gifts for the hampers were Donaldson’s Timer, Quaker Oats, The Cakehaus, Rembrand Timber, Baynes, Costa, Stephens and AG Barr’s.