Ho ho ho, it’s merry kitmas!

Cheltenham Town is back this year in full Christmas spirit. Once again they’re back doing 12 days of kitmas, which ensures that children receive a Cheltenham town shirt this Christmas.

12 days of kitmas is an initiative in which the club aims to help struggling families at this time of year. With the help of Caring for Community and People’s (CCP) Hamper Scamper campaign, the club will collect donations from supporters to give kids the present they deserve on Christmas day. Last year more than 40 were equally distributed to young football fans at the town’s primary schools at Oakwood, Gardners Lane, Sir Thomas More, Hesters Way and Springbank.

This year they aim to double that number with the support of local businesses. Each business which donates for four or more shirts (£100) will be entered into a prize draw to win four hospitality packages for a League One match in 2023. This year Kitmas gained some online traction, Gary Lineker tweeted his support for the cause, simply putting “This is great.”, and TV host and comedian James Corden pledged £2,000 to the campaign.

Kitmas was founded by football coach and activist Paul Watson. Since they started in 2020, they have distributed over 3,000 shirts to young football fans with the help of Cheltenham Town, Bristol City, Forest Green Rovers, Exeter City and Frome Town. Their goal is to eventually become a registered charity.

Paul took to twitter to share his excitement for this years Kitmas.

Cheltenham Town are also opening up a warm hub this winter. In partnership with Cheltenham Town Community Trust, the club is welcoming locals who are struggling to heat their homes due to rising energy prices, as well as those who are experiencing loneliness. The club will open its doors every Monday from 10am to 12pm to provide a warm, safe space for locals to relax, where hot drinks and breakfast supplies will be available as well.

The club have partnered with Cheltenham Borough Council and Cheltenham Borough Homes, who will promote the initiative ahead of the first session on Monday 21st November. Top-tier club partners, Mira Showers and Selco Builders Warehouse have generously agreed to fund the project. Both organisations have been active in supporting community-led work in the last few months and share the club’s view that we have an important role to play in supporting the local community.

Cheltenham Town Fan Elected Director, Dave Beesley said: “This is a fantastic example of organisations who have their community close to their hearts working together. Our special thanks go to the Community Trust, to our fantastic partners at Mira Showers, Selco and Cheltenham Borough Council for their support in getting this project off the ground.”

This Christmas will be a special one, we know Cheltenham Town FC are making sure so!