BARRY SCOOPS TOP PRIZE!!

Many congratulations to Barry Lenton for winning the National Game Awards fan of the year!

Barry has now been recognised for his incredible effort in collecting 6,000 shirts for KitAid. Paul Fairclough, England C (non-league) Manager also presented Barry with a framed certificate from Graham Taylor on behalf of KitAid.

Following the ceremony, we are now looking to work with Paul and the Sodje brothers who have set up a foundation in Nigeria.

Well done Barry from all at KitAid, an amazing achievement - keep up the fantastic work!

CHECK OUT OUR ANNUAL REVIEW!

The KitAid 2011/12 annual review is now available HERE - check out all the great stuff we've been doing over the last 12 months!

 

FORGOTTEN CARIBBEAN

KitAid is delighted to have started a partnership with the Sacred Sports Foundation.

Sacred Sports Foundation was founded by Keith Alexander the ex-City manager who died in 2010. The foundation is now run by his brother Delroy Alexander and works to increase opportunity and social inclusion for Caribbean youth. On a recent trip to the UK, Delroy approached us to help source spare kit for their programmes in St Lucia.

Speaking about the SSF programmes in St Lucia Delroy pointed out that behind the glossy travel pictures there are challenges in the Caribbean similar to those in other less developed areas of the world

“Imagine waking up in paradise and watching a visitor splash on a costly bottle of sun tan lotion whilst you struggle to eke out a meagre living on less than $5 a day” said Delroy “But that is the reality for far too many of our youth”

“Several of our grass roots community programmes desperately require kit” he continued. “we utilise any kit donations effectively and really believe they can help change the lives of our youth”.

SOME GREAT PHOTOS FROM ZAMBIA

Great to hear from Kebby who has been working with Alive and Kicking Zambia, working hard to drive social change through sport.

He has recently distributed 5 balls to the 21 Alive and Kicking coaches, as well as 8 sets of jerseys to a number of teams: Malalo Queens, Malalo Under 14 , Medics, Lubengele, Star, Boca Jrs, Magoma and Crushtek.

Thanks to Ben for getting the Kit from here to Zambia!

STATUE UNVEILED IN TRIBUTE TO SIR BOBBY ROBSON

STATUE UNVEILED IN TRIBUTE TO SIR BOBBY ROBSON, a photo by Kit_Aid on Flickr.

Great to hear that a permanent tribute to Sir Bobby Robson has been unveiled today outside St Jame's Park.

We'd also like to thank Sir Bobby's family and all the fans for the generous donation of kit to some of the World's poorest children.

NEW HOMES FOR KIT IN RWANDA

It was great to hear from Eugene Murangwa yesterday who has recently travelled to Rwanda where he was able to distribute some kit. Players at the Dream Team Football Academy in Kicukiro - Kigali as well as the Gihisi Youth Football Centre in Southern Rwanda are the new owners of Kit that Eugene took over for us.

Check out this fantastic photo!!

MORE THAN JUST A SHIRT IN ZIMBABWE

Fantastic news from our friend Joe Arimoso in Zimbabwe at Socius, a Jesuit Mission that run support projects in Zimbabwe. One of the girls at Socius has now been selected to play for the Under 20 National Team! In yet more good news, 6 youngsters from some of the teams that Socius pass our kit on to have been selected to play for the Under 13 team due to go to Warsaw, Poland to play in the VW Junior Masters tournament!!

The following message from Joe really touched us all and is a massive motivation to ensure that our work continues for years to come: "On behalf of all teams who have benefited from KitAid, I would like to express our gratitude and to let you know that your help with kit has had direct impact on a number of kids from disadvantaged backgrounds. Now we understand you slogan, “Its not just a shirt”…its a little smile and a little window into the future."

GREAT EFFORT AT APRIL'S BOXING UP!

Another hugely successful boxing up session took place last Saturday morning. It was great some new faces and some reappearances of familiar faces, so thanks and welcome to Jenny, Louisa, James and the FG crew.
Altogether we sent out 93 boxes to Somalia, Gambia, Uganda, Malawi, Zimbabwe and St Lucia. This brings the total sent out so far this year to 287 boxes, close to 11,500 items of kit.

Ricky Road Run supports KitAid!

Thanks very much to all involved in last October's Ricky Road Run, a road race held in Rickmansworth. We've just received a cheque totalling a massive £1297.45 which will be invaluable in continuing our quest to put smiles on faces around the world by sharing kit!

Kit makes it from Tranmere to Juja Farm, Kenya!

We're delighted to be able to share some photos all the way from Kenya!

Kit donated by Tranmere Rovers and boxed up in Hatfield by our army of supporters has now made it's way to the New Beginnings Academy in Juja Farm in Kenya.

Here's a picture of the children at the academy proudly wearing their their new shirts.