Football Kit Appeal Continues To Grow
FOOTBALL KIT APPEAL CONTINUES TO GROW
A Charitable Appeal based at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire continues to grow with collections and deliveries across the globe.
The Taking Football to Africa and Beyond Appeal is run by Wing Commander Neil Hope MBE from RAF Shawbury through the RAF Football Association. The appeal, which started in 2006, collects unwanted and donated football items and distributes them to the needy across the world.
To date the appeal has delivered 108845 items including 37408 football shirts to 48 countries worldwide.
In 2015 already the appeal has already made 5 full deliveries taking in Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Zambia and Jamaica. The delivery to South Africa is destined for the Where Rainbows Meet Training and Development Foundation in Vrygrond in the Western Cape near Cape Town. The Foundations teaches 125 young people aged from 9-25 years old. The Zambia delivery is through one of the Appeals partner Charities; the national Police Aid Convoys (NPAC). NPAC is based in Nottingham and delivers aid across the globe. It was set up and run by David Scott, and has many volunteers including many ex Policemen. Neil visited NPAC recently to drop off 2549 items including 849 shirts destined for a project in Zambia. Neil met with David and Wanda Adams, who runs the administrative side of the charity as well as volunteer and donator of IT items, John Coote.
Neil also recently made a visit to the Headquarters of Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA (SHCFA).
SHCFA are by far the largest County donator to the appeal through the efforts of its Chairman, Brian Jones and the General Company Secretary, Roger Reade. Through the years Brian and his team have donated tens of thousands of items to the Appeal from clubs and people across their county. When visiting Neil collected more kit donated by Handsworth Junior Sporting Club from Dave Wragg. Whilst visiting SHCFA Neil made a presentation in recognition of the huge efforts by the County in assisting the appeal. Neil said,’ I am proud to be able to present the SHCFA with a commemorative wired RAF badge in recognition of the huge amount of help they provide to my appeal. Without the assistance of its member clubs the appeal would not be the huge success it has become.’
Neil and his team are now organising their next Kenya visit to distribute items across Nairobi and Gilgil. They will be taking a team of 10 Military and Civilian personnel who will distribute to over 30 clubs, schools and organisations over a 9 day visit, including in the huge slum town areas of Kibera, Kibagare and Mathare, in early June 2015. ENDS
Note: Items delivered so far in 2015 were donated by the following: ANTALIS, CHARLOTTE HOPE, COBHAM, WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS, QPR, NIKE, THE FA/ENGLAND, LONGHOUGHTON RANGERS, SHROPSHIRE FA, SHREWSBURY TOWN, NEW SAINTS, WYRLEY JNRS, LEICESTER SOCK CO, SHCFA, WARNDON VILLAGES, RAF HENLOW, STAFFS FA, SOLIHULL BOROUGH, MANCHESTER UTD, WALSALL, ASTON VILLA, SHREWSBURY SCHOOL, HIGHWAYMAN FC, THROSTLES FC, BARNET FC, TUNBRIDGE WELLS FC, HOLMES CHAPEL FC, TESCO, MOIRA HOLT, GLOUCESTERSHIRE FA, NORTH RIDING FA, NORFOLK FA, WORCESTERSHIRE FA, PEGASUS JUNIORS, LANCASHIRE FA, WESTMORELAND FA, ECKINGTON BOYS JFC, RAWMARSH ST JOSEPHS JFC, HANDSWORTH JFC, HAMPSHIRE FA, TIM OAKES, STAFFS FA, REECO SOCCER SCHOOL, COLWYN BAY FC, PORT TALBOT FC, WBA, LLANSAWEL FC, LEICESTER CITY FC, RAFFA, CHELTENHAM SARACENS, TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS.
If you have any old kit to donate please bring it to a League meeting or contact Nathan.batchelor@junleague.com