RAF FOOTBALL APPEAL SCORES IMPRESSIVE MILESTONE
A football shirt charitable appeal based in Shropshire has completed an incredible milestone in passing the magical 100000 items delivered worldwide.
The Appeal has been running since 2006 with its base at RAF Shawbury and is organised by Wing Commander Neil Hope MBE. Neil set up the Appeal with the aim of collecting unwanted football shirts and sending them to the less privileged in Africa in the run up to the 2006 World Cup Finals. The Appeal became a huge success and after just 8 years has just reached the impressive milestone in passing the 100000 items delivered mark with its latest set of deliveries departing for Kenya. To date the appeal has now delivered 100859 items, including 34458 football shirts to 48 countries worldwide.
Already in 2014 the Appeal has delivered 21707 items including 6856 football shirts to 15 countries across the globe, making 2014 its most successful year to date.
Items delivered cover the broad spectrum of football kit items as well as school uniforms and other sporting equipment. Deliveries are made through the Armed Forces as well as through other International charities. Additional deliveries are organised through gap year students and even personnel travelling on holiday. Deliveries in 2014 have been to 15 countries including Kenya, Zambia, Pakistan, Syria, Nepal and Brazil. Deliveries assist people in areas such as the huge Kibera slum town in Nairobi, Kenya. Kibera houses over one million people in an area less than 3sq km and has little or no electricity or running water and no sewerage system.
Items delivered over the years came from a multitude of clubs, individuals and schools including Shrewsbury Town, Manchester United, England/FA, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester City and QPR. Local clubs in Shropshire have also donated items, including Madeley Sports, Broseley Sports, Shropshire FA, Shrewsbury School, and Shifnal Harriers. Many sports clubs and County Football Associations have also been instrumental in assisting the plight of thousands of underprivileged youngsters and adults across the globe especially Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA, who have been one of the biggest benefactors to the appeal.
During the 8 years the appeal has been running many visits have taken place to Kenya, the country most delivered to, by Neil and his team. Neil said, ‘I am still amazed at how this appeal caught the imagination of the football world and the general public. I was surprised that the appeal took off so well and remember feeling proud at reaching 10000 items, so you can imagine my feelings now as we surpass 100000 items. Whilst imagining the value in financial terms of the items donated, the reality is that this appeal brings aid through football to youngsters and adults across the globe. The feelings you get when you see the face of a youngster when you give them a football or a football shirt cannot be easily explained but it is certainly a highly emotional moment. I look forward to driving the appeal forwards to the next 100000!! My thanks to all who have donated and especially those who assist the appeal both here and abroad and especially to the RAF for allowing all this to happen.’
If you have any old kit to donate email secretary@junleague.com