Bradford City AFC Women Support Children in Care at Christmas

Community project provides gifts and festive activities for local children

Bradford City AFC Women have teamed up with the Holly House Charitable Foundation and the Bradford Children and Families Trust (BCFT) to deliver gifts and festive experiences to children and young people in care across Bradford this Christmas.

Wishes Under the Tree initiative

The project, named Wishes Under the Tree, aims to bring some festive cheer to children and young people who might otherwise go without during the holiday season. It involves collecting Christmas wishlists from children in care, purchasing the requested gifts with support from the Holly House Foundation, and wrapping them by members of the Bradford City AFC Women and girls’ teams.

The initiative also includes a celebration event held at the Bradford City AFC Women’s Training Ground on 22 December. At this event, the children received their personalised presents and took part in festive activities and sports-based games organised by the football club and the Holly House Foundation.

Statements from organisers

• Qasim Akhtar, BCAFC Women and Girls Chairman, said the project was an opportunity to support children who may not have access to many things during the festive season. He highlighted the value of giving the children memorable experiences and thanked the Holly House Foundation for their support.
• Sophie Ford-Wilkinson, Trustee of the Holly House Charitable Foundation, said the foundation was pleased to be part of the project again. She emphasised the aim of making every child feel included and praised the ongoing work of Bradford City AFC Women.
• Monika Stube, BCAFC Women Captain and Football and Business Development Officer, described the project as a privilege and expressed the importance of spreading festive joy within the community.

Background and future plans

This marks the second year that Bradford City AFC Women and the Holly House Foundation have delivered the Wishes Under the Tree project. Plans are in place to continue the initiative in 2026.

About the Holly House Charitable Foundation

The Holly House Charitable Foundation is a trust that supports small local charities providing life-enhancing opportunities to vulnerable young people, including those living with disabilities or facing additional challenges. The foundation’s goal is to positively impact the lives of those most in need by working collaboratively with community organisations.