A banner recognising the efforts of those who helped Gosport Borough FC’s Feed a Family in Need campaign, which has fed more than 500 families in the town since the summer, has been put up at Privett Park.

The banner, behind the north goal at the ground, has been erected with help from club main sponsor Spurway Scaffolding and Key2 Graphics and recognises the role local businesses, such as Morrisons, Boxxfresh, the Coop and Fareham Car & Van Hire had in getting the campaign up and running.

And the campaign is still raising funds, as it is expected demand for the service, which provides food hampers for families identified as in need in the town, shows no sign of slowing down.

Fully backed by Gosport Borough Youth FC, a successful crowdfunding campaign in the spring raised more than £9,000 to secure the service until the end of the calendar year.

But with grant funding beginning to wind down, the fund needs topping up to see things through until the pandemic threat begins to recede as the vaccination programme rolls out next year.

Fans can make a Christmas donation to the Feed A Family In Need campaign here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/feed-a-family-in-need-with-the-boro

Deb Redpath, community officer at the club, who has been running the scheme since July, said: “From July through to the end of November we have delivered 1730 parcels - each delivery consisting of a parcel of ambient food, a bag of fresh food and cereal. Over the summer months we also had families coming to collect food from us.

“We are continuing to work closely with schools in Gosport as well as being an active member of the Gosport Food Partnership.

“In November we were pleased to be able to distribute food vouchers for Aldi which enabled clients to select their own food. Many people were delighted to be able to purchase advent calendars for their children and purchase meat for the first time in a while.

“We will be continuing our deliveries over Christmas and will be delivering a special Christmas hamper, supported by the Coop in Privett Road who collected donations from customers, with treats for the festive season. Wave 105 have also been very generous, donating a number of gifts for children which we will be including in the deliveries.”

The club started Feed a Family in Need in April, after fixtures at the end of the 2019-20 season were cancelled.

Chairman Iain McInnes recognised Gosport would be a town which would have individuals in need and wanted the club to help.

The then newly-appointed Club House Manager Keith Slater was re-purposed to manage the scheme, but since football re-started in August, he has gone back to his original role, with Deb taking the reins.

The club is also still looking for volunteers to help with deliveries and anyone interested should contact feedafamily@gosportboroughfc.co.uk / 07761770533