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20 Years of Giving: Football Kits Transform Lives Abroad
7 Feb
Summary
- Charity redistributes football kits, reaching over 70 countries.
- Nearly half a million items have been donated to children and adults.
- Volunteers pay their own way for trips, funding the charity's mission.
The 'Taking Football to Africa and Beyond' charity is marking two decades of its impactful work. Since its inception, the initiative has distributed around 425,000 football kits, reaching children and adults in over 70 countries. Volunteers, operating from RAF Shawbury, are currently organizing their next mission to Kenya.
This effort, led by Mark Smales and Neil Hope, relies on donations from football clubs at all levels. Hope expressed gratitude for the continuous support, noting that the appeal simply keeps going. He highlighted the profound joy and ownership recipients feel upon receiving the kits, which are otherwise unaffordable.
The charity focuses on impoverished areas, where daily living expenses are extremely low. Providing a piece of football kit means the world to these individuals. The organization emphasizes a 'no finance' policy, with volunteers covering their own travel expenses to distribute the donations.
