CRYSTAL Palace stars helped to save Christmas for a charity after a burglary threatened its plan for a festive lunch.
Upper Norwood Association for Community Care was left reeling just a week before a scheduled yuletide knees-up when its day centre in Avenue Road was burgled and hundreds of pounds stolen.
After being told of their plight by Croydon Commitment, a charity which brings together businesses and the voluntary sector, the footballers had a whip round to pay for the meal.
Annamika Koomoshan, of Croydon Neighbourhood Care Association, said: "We received a very timely call from Croydon Commitment the day after the Upper Norwood Association for Community Care had their safe broken into and £400 stolen.
"The money was to pay for their much-anticipated Christmas lunch, and raffle prizes were also taken.
"On hearing about the plight of Upper Norwood Association for Community Care, Croydon Commitment got in touch with Sandra West, who organised a collection from the Crystal Palace players to purchase items for the Christmas lunch and raffle.
"It was a fantastic gesture and I wish to pass on my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved." Fiona Smout, business manager of Croydon Commitment, said: "This was obviously a distressing experience for the centre but the response of the football club was heartwarming.
"We are very proud of our Premier League team and equally proud that the Crystal Palace players showed such great community spirit to ensure that members of the local community had a Christmas to remember." Croydon Commitment also provides support every year for a Christmas lunch for elderly people in the borough, held by Parchmore Church and Community and Youth Centre.
In 2013, the group organised two fundraising abseils – down Jurys Inn and Taberner House and provided around £25,000 of community funding through its Grassroots Trust Fund.
