Liverpool FC has teamed up with Cadbury to bring Christmas cheer to local residents in Liverpool as part of its Secret Santa campaign.

Alongside Red Neighbours and LFC Foundation, Cadbury will be raising awareness for the Trussell Trust – and providing a little bit of extra magic for more than 150,000 people supported by its network of foodbanks – by adding a chocolate treat to food parcels this Christmas.

Red Neighbours and LFC Foundation have partnered with Cadbury to help promote the initiative and provide an additional donation to the North Liverpool and South Liverpool Foodbanks.

Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino and LFC legends John Barnes and Sir Kenny Dalglish have all taken part in Cadbury Secret Santa, and Barnes recently visited the North Liverpool Foodbank to learn more about the important work the Trussell Trust does.

Fans can get involved by sending a Cadbury Secret Santa bar to a loved one this Christmas through the Cadbury online postal service. For every bar sent, Cadbury will also donate a second bar to a foodbank in the Trussell Trust’s network to provide a little festive treat to people who might appreciate it.

The activity with Cadbury forms part of the club’s Operation Christmas Magic, which sees Liverpool FC’s players, partners, staff and community teams come together this Christmas to support their local communities.

As part of Operation Christmas Magic, 1,500 food hampers containing Cadbury Secret Santa bars will be sent to families in Liverpool and Knowsley. Children from local schools will also be provided with 400 Cadbury bars to send to care homes in the L4 area, alongside a personalised, hand-drawn picture from the children to wish the residents a merry Christmas.

Forbes Duff, Red Neighbours senior manager, said: “This year has been a real challenge for everyone, and Christmas in particular could be a very difficult time for many families in our local area.

“We’re really pleased to be teaming up with Cadbury to continue our support of the Trussell Trust network, and hopefully bring a little festive cheer to families across the Liverpool City Region this Christmas.

“Sadly, social isolation and food poverty are ongoing issues in our local community – even more so at this time of year – so we’re really grateful for Cadbury’s valuable support in helping to bring a little bit of extra Christmas magic for people who need to use foodbanks at this time of year.”

Paola Cassinelli, senior brand manager at Cadbury, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with LFC to help raise awareness of the important work the Trussell Trust do through our Secret Santa activation.

“LFC is a long-time supporter of the Trussell Trust, so they were the perfect fit to help promote the important work the charity does.

“Christmas is a time when everyone appreciates a little festive treat – that’s why for every Secret Santa bar sent through our online postal service, we’ll match that with a bar for a foodbank in the Trussell Trust’s network. Who better to encourage the nation to get involved than some of Liverpool’s best current and past players?”

Fans can get involved in the campaign and send a Secret Santa bar to a loved one here: https://postalservice.cadbury.co.uk/