It was a hectic festive period for JD Cymru South side Caerau Ely – although less so on the pitch as their match away at Taffs Well was postponed at the last minute due to an electrical failure.
But thanks to their link-up with Caerau & Ely Sports Trust, the players and staff also made sure that plenty of local families enjoyed the holidays as well. They wrapped donations of gifts – and then delivered them on Christmas Eve to people identified by local schools.
Club secretary Joseph Goode is also chairman of the trust, and he brought the two organisations together, along with staff and children from Ysgoliau Nant Caerau and Pen Caerau.
“Working together we can make a huge change to the area,” Goode says, thanking those who had given up their time ahead of the Christmas schedule to help out, including several first-team players – Lathan Garrett, Conor McNamara, George Sheppard, and captain Jack Ashford, plus manager Dean Wheeler.
“The club is the heart of the community and all the players want to do well for it both on and off the pitch,” said Ashford.
Garrett added: “A few of the lads came back home to play for Caerau to make a difference. We know we can do that through the this club and the huge outreach it has through the charity links and the junior section. If we do well the area does well and it’s up to us to make sure it thrives.”
