Ospreys stars are urging supporters to buy an extra Christmas present this year after helping to kick off the nationwide Christmas Present Appeal at Asda"â¬â¢s Swansea store on Tuesday (November 21st 2006).
Members of the public are being asked to visit their local Asda store and drop off a new, unwrapped gift to be given to people in need in the area through The Salvation Army and Help the Aged networks, local groups and social services.
Staff at the Llansamlet supermarket will be collecting Christmas gifts for children, teenagers and older people up until Sunday 17th December, which will be distributed locally. The Ospreys stars have thrown their weight behind the appeal to help ensure a happier Christmas for hundreds of people across the region.
Taking time off from the preparations for Saturday"â¬â¢s Magners League clash against Munster to lend their support were Ospreys players, Shaun Connor, Tal Selley and Filo Tiatia.
Shaun Connor explained why the players were getting behind the Christmas Present appeal:
"â¬ÅChristmas is a very special time of year which people assume that everybody looks forward to. As we have found out from talking to those involved with this campaign locally, there are plenty of people, young and old, who don"â¬â¢t have much festive cheer for whatever reason, and this is why the whole squad is fully behind the Christmas Present Appeal and we are hoping that everyone across the region will support it.
"â¬ÅAll you need to do is pick up one extra gift when you"â¬â¢re out shopping and pop it into Asda, it"â¬â¢s that easy. With that little effort you can put a smile on someone"â¬â¢s face at Christmas and that has to be worth doing."â¬Â
Christina Pocklington at Asda said:
"â¬ÅASDA is calling on kind-hearted people in their local community to help spread a little seasonal cheer this Christmas by donating gifts to our Christmas Present Appeal."â¬Â
Lieut-Colonel Royston Bartlett, The Salvation Army"â¬â¢s Secretary for Communications added:
"â¬ÅThis year we are thrilled to be in partnership with ASDA, who have pledged to help us collect even more gifts than ever.
"â¬ÅMillions of children and young people have benefited from the gifts donated to The Salvation Army over many years. By giving a new gift to ASDA"â¬â¢s Christmas Present Appeal you can make a real difference in someone"â¬â¢s life at Christmas!"â¬Â
Daniel Pearson, Director of Community Services at Help the Aged commented:
"â¬ÅThe ASDA Christmas Present Appeal is a fantastic opportunity for its customers and the public to give older people across the country the only gift they may receive this year.
"â¬ÅAll gifts donated to older people will be handed out at Christmas lunch events, funded by Help the Aged and designed to give hundreds of older people a truly special festive season."â¬Â