Everton in the Community marks 30 years of exemplary community service

While the Everton team have been up and down on the pitch in the last couple of decades, the Everton in the Community (EitC) group has continued to go from strength to strength since it was started in 1988.

The community action founded by the Toffees currently delivers 40 social programmes in and around Merseyside, and is led by the club’s Deputy Chief Executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale.

Last night the club hosted a gala event at St George’s Hall to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the foundation, with the entire Everton first team squad in attendance including newest signings Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott.

Speaking to evertontv, club captain Phil Jagielka was proud to be associated with EitC.

“Just being around for 30 years is fantastic, but if you look at what the guys have done in that period, it is something we are really proud of. I am delighted to be here and to have played my part but the most important people are the guys who have put in all the hard work over the years.

“You are supposed to go [on community visits] and make people feel happy. But by the time the day has finished you feel better yourself. If you watch videos of us on the visits we are always laughing.

”The lads always want to do their fair share. The staff make it easy for us. We only have to turn up. They put in all the hard work – it is a lot of hard work and they have been doing it for a long time.”

With the multiple raffles and auctions on the night, the event raised nearly £40,000 for the award-winning charity, which has often been recognized across the nation for the work they do.

Everton have continued to show they are deserving of the moniker “The Peoples’ Club”, and as fans we can be proud as well of the accomplishments of Everton in the Community.

Click here to find out how you can help EitC in their various endeavours throughout the year.