Wigan players prepare food parcels ahead of Christmas at The Brick homeless charity

Wigan quintet Sam Morsy, Dan Burn, Will Grigg, Michael Jacobs and Reece James, make special visit to local homeless charity The Brick on Monday afternoon.

Burn, Jacobs, James, Morsy and Grigg made food parcels for people who are homeless or living in poverty across the borough, from donations by Latics fans at Saturday's game with Fleetwood.

In September, The Brick was named Wigan's official charity partner for the season, and supporters have helped to raise nearly £1,500 for the Rebuilding Lives campaign, which aims to help people in the community to construct new lives.

Wigan skipper Morsy said: "It's amazing really because people don't think it happens in this country, but when you see the number of clients The Brick work with for example it just stuns you.

"People in Wigan really need to get behind this charity because they're really helping a lot of people.

"We as players will donate a lot to The Brick throughout the season, but even if the fans can donate as little as 50p on match days it'll make a massive difference. The visit really took us back today because we don't realise how fortunate we are."

The Brick support over 400 people every month by offering them food, shelter and training, and operate alongside permanent club charities Wigan Athletic Community Trust and Wigan Youth Zone.

Garry Colsey, service user at The Brick, said: "The charity have been brilliant for me and have had an enormous impact on my life. They've helped me in so many different ways and it's nice for me to be able to give something back because I now volunteer at The Brick Works."

The Brick's fundraising manager, Janet Mitchell, added: "I would like to say a big thank you to the players who came to visit us and to all at Wigan Athletic for partnering with us as their charity of the year - it will have a huge impact on raising awareness and increasing vital food collections and funds."

Food donations can be made at collection points across the borough. Visit www.thebrick.org.uk for drop-off locations.