Children all across the Barry area will be smiling this Christmas – thanks to Barry Town United’s Share a Smile campaign.
First launched in 2020, the project raises money to make the festive season special for those children and families who need it most, spending the cash on toys and gifts to donate to over 400 children within the local community.
And this year the club raised an incredible £17,280, having kicked off the fundraising on Bonfire Night, where over 1,200 people watched a spectacular display with fireworks donated by chairman Mark Barrett, enabling all money from the evening to go directly to Share a Smile.
Over the past weeks, the men’s first team donated a percentage of their wages, and all other sections of the club fundraised in their own special way including fun fancy dress training evenings. There were also valuable contributions from the wider community, with local clubs such as Barry Athletic, ex-coaches and ex-players also contributing to a campaign they feel very passionately about.
An addition this season courtesy of Macron Cardiff was a dedicated Christmas-themed shirt for the men’s first team to wear for the month of December, with supporters taking part in a silent auction to secure their favourite player’s kit.
Men’s captain Kayne McLaggon said: “As a Barry boy it’s been a privilege to be part of this campaign since its inception in 2020. As a squad we are immensely proud of the work that goes into the campaign by the volunteers at the club and appreciate all their efforts to give back to the community. This year’s total is a phenomenal amount of money and will help so many children this Christmas.”
“We’re a club embedded in its community,” added chairman Barrett. “Projects such as Share a Smile are a key differentiator in what sets us apart. As chairman I am so proud of the team of individuals – namely Emily, Jessica, Leanne, Laura, Jane and Hannah – and thank all at the club for fundraising and allowing us to make 450 children smile this Christmas.”
Lead image: Perry Dobbins
