Skip to content
Donate toys at Stevenage train station this month to help the Toy Donation Drive, in partnership with Stevenage FC Foundation. More images below.
Donate toys at Stevenage train station this month to help the Toy Donation Drive, in partnership with Stevenage FC Foundation. More images below.

Press release -

Rail operator and football club team up to help vulnerable families in Hertfordshire this Christmas

Building on its longstanding partnership with Stevenage FC, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is teaming up with the football club’s Foundation charity for a toy donation drive ahead of Christmas.

This will be the ninth year that the rail operator has worked with Stevenage FC, offering its Academy players free train travel on the Thameslink and Great Northern network. The partnership helps to upskill the next generation of football stars, no matter their background.

Taking the partnership one step further this December, GTR is supporting the club’s official charity - Stevenage FC Foundation - to combat the cost-of-living crisis and ensure that disadvantaged children living across Hertfordshire don’t miss out on a gift this Christmas.

As well as donation points located at the football club and Academy club grounds, people living in Stevenage can now drop off their new and unwanted toys at Stevenage train station too.

Shaun Smith, Great Northern Station Manager at Stevenage, said: “We’ve worked with Stevenage FC for a number of years, so when we heard that the Foundation was launching a Christmas Toy Drop, we wanted to extend our support because we know there will be lots of local families struggling this Christmas.

“People who travel through the station or live in the area can drop off good-quality toys throughout the month of December and we will work with the Foundation and the Toyshed to get the items to those who need them most.”

The Toyshed is a community initiative run by Stevenage Vineyard Church, who also run a local foodbank throughout the year, open to anyone living in Stevenage and surrounding villages.

Joe Goude, Chief Executive of Stevenage FC Foundation, said: “This year our community needs us to play our part as the cost-of-living crisis becomes a reality for more and more within our town. The opportunity to support families in need is something we’re proud to be doing and we’re really grateful to have GTR’s support to help the Toyshed reach its target of 230 toys.”

New and unopened toys can be donated to the Christmas Toy Drop by speaking to a member of staff at Stevenage train station, taking donations to Stevenage FC Foundation at The Lamex Stadium, or dropping items off at Stevenage FC Academy, next to Shephalbury Park.

The football club’s next home game is on Saturday 10 December against Mansfield Town. Those attending the game can take toys along with them and drop them at the KidZone.

ENDS

Notes to editors

  • Stevenage Football Club Academy, based at the Shephalbury Sports Academy on Broadhall Way, provides training activities and facilities for all ages and abilities as well as its talent identification and elite development programmes, with coaching for players with the potential to be professional members of the first-team squad
  • In addition to the regular Academy teams at Under 9 to Under 16 level, the club operates development centres, shadow squads and Elite Development Programmes, all of which provide youngsters from Stevenage, across the country and beyond with a range of performance and educational opportunities to help fulfil their potentials
  • Stevenage FC Foundation is an independent charity of Stevenage Football Club, working across Stevenage, North and East Hertfordshire and Welwyn Hatfield to create a community where all can live an active, healthy, and positive life. Find out more here: Stevenage FC Foundation – Official Independent Charity of Stevenage Football Club
  • To find out more about the Foodshed, run by Stevenage Vineyard Church, visit the website here: https://stevenage-vineyard.co.uk/compassion/foodshed

Topics

Categories


For more information, contact the press office on 0203 750 2031.

Govia Thameslink Railway

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) operates Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express services as follows:

  • Thameslink – cross-London services between Bedford/Peterborough/Cambridge and Brighton/Horsham/Littlehampton/East Grinstead, and between Luton/St Albans and Sutton/Wimbledon/Rainham; plus services between London and Sevenoaks
  • Great Northern – services between London and Welwyn, Hertford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King’s Lynn
  • Southern – services between London and the Sussex coast (Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne, Bognor Regis, Hastings) and parts of Surrey, Kent and Hampshire (Ashford International, Southampton, Portsmouth)
  • Gatwick Express – fast, non-stop direct services between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria

www.southernrailway.comwww.thameslinkrailway.comwww.gatwickexpress.comwww.greatnorthernrail.com

  • Drop new or unused toys at Stevenage station this December
    Drop new or unused toys at Stevenage station this December
    License:
    Media Use
    File format:
    .jpg
    Size:
    5998 x 4001, 9.66 MB
    Download
  • GTR and Stevenage FC partner up for a ninth year
    GTR and Stevenage FC partner up for a ninth year
    License:
    Media Use
    File format:
    .jpg
    Size:
    5998 x 4001, 8.06 MB
    Download
  • This is the ninth year GTR has worked with Stevenage FC Academy
    This is the ninth year GTR has worked with Stevenage FC Academy
    License:
    Media Use
    File format:
    .jpg
    Size:
    5998 x 4001, 9.87 MB
    Download
  • Station Manager, Shaun Smith, with Joe Goude, Chief Executive of Stevenage FC Foundation
    Station Manager, Shaun Smith, with Joe Goude, Chief Executive of Stevenage FC Foundation
    License:
    Media Use
    File format:
    .jpg
    Size:
    5998 x 4001, 7.29 MB
    Download
  • Stevenage FC Academy players help promote the Toy Donation Drive
    Stevenage FC Academy players help promote the Toy Donation Drive
    License:
    Media Use
    File format:
    .jpg
    Size:
    5998 x 4001, 7.22 MB
    Download
  • Toys will be sent to the Toyshed
    Toys will be sent to the Toyshed
    License:
    Media Use
    File format:
    .jpg
    Size:
    5998 x 4001, 8.66 MB
    Download

Related content

  • The Boro Boys are back in business with renewed rail partnership. More images below.

    Stevenage FC and Thameslink kick off 2022 with renewed Academy partnership

    The rail operator and Hertfordshire-based academy football team have partnered up for the eighth year running to provide the club’s apprentices with free train travel on Thameslink and Great Northern routes.
    The longstanding partnership enables players of all backgrounds to easily get to the training ground from their home, school, or college, free of charge. Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is c

  • Stevenage FC and Thameslink are encouraging youngsters to attend sporting events in their area - helping to combat mental health issues. More images below.

    Stevenage FC and Thameslink team up to support young people in new ‘Don’t Tackle it Alone’ campaign

    To combat the mental health crisis following the pandemic, Thameslink is strengthening its partnership with Stevenage FC to support young people in the community The campaign encourages people to attend Friday Kicks sporting events in their areas The scheme offers the younger generation a support network and safe place to meet
    Thameslink and Stevenage FC have joined forces to promote positive