MEMBERS of the MVP Track and Field Club yesterday helped to make Christmas special for 38 children at the Walker’s Place of Safety in Kingston, handing out gifts to the needy group of youngsters.

Olympic 100m silver medallist Sherone Simpson, 400m silver medallist Shericka Williams and 400m hurdler Trishana McGowan were joined by club president Bruce James at the presentation, which was the brainchild of McGowan, who started training with the group in 2008.

McGowan is a Child Care Development major at the University of Technology (UTech) and she said she got the idea after going into various children’s homes and places of safety and seeing the needs of less fortunate minors.

All the members of the group, which also includes Olympic gold medallists Asafa Powell, Shelly Ann Fraser, Melaine Walker and world 100m hurdles champion Brigitte Foster-Hylton, contributed to the cause.

“I know most kids don’t have any family members and to have us spend the time to bring gifts for them is probably special,” Williams told the Observer.

“We’re happy that the MVP family was able to put a smile on these faces,” Simpson said. “(We’re) very happy that we’re able to bring a little more joy for the Christmas season.”

Stephanie McKenzie Hinds, supervisor at Walker’s Place of Safety, which caters to abused or abandoned children, said it was a special moment having the world-renowned athletes take a little time out to show care for the less fortunate.

“We’ve never seen them before and we have the opportunity for them to come into the home,” she said.