Thomas Firth is speaking after one of the world’s greatest rugby league players lent a hand on a shift to support Atherton & Leigh Foodbank, which helps families in crisis.
Nathan Cleary, the Penrith Panthers and Australia half back, responded to a social media message from Thomas, chair of the trustees at the charity, to visit them in the run up to Christmas.
The Australian’s gesture was one purely of goodwill rather than an act of publicity.
His selfless work hasn’t gone unnoticed though, with pictures shared by the foodbank and later by Cleary’s club Penrith highlighting his kindness and raising the profile of the cause.
Following the Kangaroos’ Test series against England, he is currently staying in the UK on a holiday, where he is spending time with his girlfriend, the Manchester City women’s footballer Mary Fowler.
A post shared on Facebook (Image: Social media)
“I was in Manchester and I bumped into him and asked for a picture,” Thomas told the Journal.
“I followed it up with a message on Instagram a just saying ‘I run a foodbank and it would be great to have you down there’.
“A few days afterwards he replied saying ‘let’s do it’. I suggested a date and he came down.”
During his visit Clearly chatted with volunteers and took on a shift sorting supplies into the required packs, including organising parcels for children and people with dietary requirements.
Thomas added: “He was really good, [he] just came across as a humble bloke and totally into doing it well.
“He had a chat to everyone and got on well with them; just like another volunteer.
“Some of the volunteers don’t really follow rugby, when a few of them asked ‘what do you do’ he said he played rugby. They asked ‘who for..Leigh?’ And he just answered ‘no, I play for a team in Sydney’.
Helping hand: Nathan helped with sorting supplies into the correct boxes (Image: Atherton & Leigh Foodbank)
“A few of the volunteers mentioned it to their children and grandchildren – and they couldn’t believe it.
“He wasn’t doing it to be seen for doing a good thing – he was just there to be involved. He didn’t make a big deal over it
“It shows he’s a really humble guy, he helps out with the homeless [in Australia] he doesn’t do it for attention.”
Thomas, however, is hoping the reach the foodbank’s social media post has received will help increase donations of food or cash they receive or encourage more people to volunteer.
He added: “Unfortunately, it [foodbank support] is needed as much as ever, there are a lot of people in crisis who do need help. And you see it as you’re running up to Christmas.”
How to get support
Atherton and Leigh Foodbank currently have four foodbank centres. One in Atherton, two in Leigh and one in Platt Bridge. Each one is opening for two hours on their given day.
Atherton & Leigh foodbank works using a voucher referral system. In order to get help from the foodbank, you will need a voucher issued by one of many local agencies.
More information at: https://athertonleigh.foodbank.org.uk/locations/