James Maddison and Brandon Austin played some light-hearted party games, PlayStation and pool with youngsters at Project 2020 in Northumberland Park, where they also paid a visit to the music studio at the community hub.
Swedish duo Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall also made festive-themed crafts over at the Broadwater Farm Community Centre before taking part in a table tennis competition.
With these player visits having been facilitated by Haringey Council staff and taking place in local authority-run centres, the Deputy Leader and West Green ward Cllr Sarah Williams joined Dejan and Lucas at Broadwater Farm as the Cabinet Member for Communities and Northumberland Park ward Cllr, Cllr Ajda Ovat, met James and Brandon in Northumberland Park.
Cllr Ovat commented:
As the mother of an avid, young Spurs fan, I know only too well just what an enthralling and exciting experience today will have been for our children and young people in Haringey.
I’d like to thank the Spurs players for taking time out of their busy schedules to support our young people, as well as Tottenham Hotspur for their generous donations to the Local Buyers Club’s Winter Toy Appeal.
With the cost-of-living crisis affecting so many families across Haringey, this kind act of generosity will mean so much to our young people.
What a fantastic way to kick-off the seasonal festivities in our borough!
Maddison said:
It always brings me so much satisfaction and joy to see the smiles on kids’ faces when we come down to local youth centres like these.
I love Christmas and doing these events, meeting the kids and being able to share in moments of joy during such a busy time of year.
Kulusevski added:
Spending time with the kids is so important, it is a big honour for me.
Things like this are what really matter, putting smiles on faces before Christmas, it means something for us players too.
Meanwhile, Brennan Johnson and Alfie Whiteman went to the Somerford Grove Adventure Playgrond to join the festive celebrations at their annual Christmas party and Archie Gray and Djed Spence participated in a wide range of fun activities at the Bruce Grove Youth Space.
Spurs are taking a fresh approach to their annual Christmas toy deliveries this year, with men’s first-team players visiting various youth centres across the borough to spend time with local children and deliver toys to them.
Part of the club’s programme of Christmas community support, these four youth centre visits saw them make their annual donation of children’s presents to the Local Buyers Club’s Winter Toy Appeal for young people and families experiencing hardship.
Spurs have also made foodbank donations and a delivery of hampers to hospital staff and recently became the inaugural sporting partner of the Multibank Christmas Campaign, with players, staff and fans donating essential products to combat the issue of hygiene poverty across local communities.
