WANDERERS international midfielder Stuart Holden has given his backing to an Easter of Hope event being held in Bolton town centre.

The USA player is supporting the “Gifts of Easter Hope” being held in Victoria Square tomorrow, which aims to raise awareness around the needs of Bolton families during the tough financial times.

The event is being organised by several organisations, including Churches Together, Bolton Christian Community Cohesion and Urban Outreach.

The event will include stalls from charities where representatives will be on hand to offer information on social welfare support such as food banks, debt support, counselling, health, alcohol dependency, drug dependency and many other sources of advice.

Stuart said: “I want to encourage as many people who can to get behind this great opportunity to offer support and practical gifts of hope this Easter.”

Bolton Wanderers’ club chaplain, Phil Mason, added: “It is great to have the support from someone like Stuart who has really helped make a difference.

This event brings together a number of Christian initiatives.

We are all living in challenging times and, for this coming Easter weekend, it is a great opportunity to offer a message of hope.

“Bolton Wanderers will be represented on the day with Bolton Wanderers Community Trust providing some entertainment and support, including the appearance of Lofty Junior for the kids”.

The event will also give everyone the opportunity to take “Gifts of Hope” by making donations to the food bank or offering help with volunteering.

One of the items needed are flip flops by the Bolton Street Angels or items of food for the Food Bank such as tinned meat, tinned vegetables, tinned fruit, packets of dried foods such as rice and pasta, instant mash or biscuits, tea, sugar and longlife milk.

The event starts at 11am and runs until 2pm