ZIMBABWE PROJECTS RECEIVES MORE KIT

Photo sent in from Joe Arimoso SJ, Mt Pleasant, Harare in Zimbabwe.  We've been supporting this project for two years.

GARSTON LADIES FC SIGN UP TO SUPPORT KITAID

Garston Ladies FC become latest KitAid supporter - we're delighted to have you in the ever growing KitAid family.

STOKE CITY FC BECOMES STEGOTA FC

Stoke City kit is recycled and brings life to Stegota FC, Kampala in Uganda.  The team was delighted with the new kit and even used a tailor to adjust some of the shirts. 

"I was telling the members of the team, that now that they are wearing the same kind of Jerseys adorned by the Premier League players they greatly admire, it should motivate them to work hard and play for Liverpool or Stoke City someday", said Edwin, the coach.

TOP MAN GETS TOP AWARD

Many congratulations to Squadron Leader Neil Hope for being awarded an MBE for his charitable and community work.  KitAid joined forces with the RAF's charity, Taking Football to Africa and Beyond and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation in 2010 to donate and distribute thousands of football kits to children throughout the slum areas and orphanages in Nairobi and surrounding areas.  A trip that we will never forget.


Neil fully deserves this accolade and we wish him every success with his continued commitment to enable some of the world's poorest people to play and enjoy football.
Read the BBC Shropshire news page

HAPPY CHRISTMAS FROM THE KITAID TEAM

It's been yet another fantastic year for KitAid. Thank you all for your continued support - donors, companies, schools, football clubs (from grass roots to the Premiership), our volunteers and charity partners. Have a very Merry Christmas and look forward to building upon our achievements in 2012!

Highlights from the year:

• 28,500 items of kit sent all across the World in 2011 (at no expense to KitAid) 815 footballs, sets of goalposts, 1,000+ Match Attax cards
• also delivered 168,000 items of kit sent out since we started in 1998
• Interviewed on BBC Radio Merseyside and BBC Radio Leicester for separate appeals featured in many different newspapers up and down the country and also some international media
• We sponsored the brilliant Ballysillan YFC Football Camp in Belfast again
• We were chosen as the charity partner for the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League season 2011/12
• Partnered with Taylor Wimpey who collected kit for us at new developments all across the UK
• We partnered with Liverpool FC, Liverpool Echo and BBC Radio Merseyside to collect Torres and old LFC kit
• We set up a new Ambassador Club scheme with Chesham Utd, FC United, Stenhousemuir and Witton Albion We have received continued support from PUMA UK as well as other manufacturers (Great Branding Co, Mundo Football, Tempest Sports, DPM Sports and Kitlocker)
• We have created a volunteer partnership with University of Herts 
• We would like to thank our Patron, Graham Taylor OBE, and all of the clubs across the UK who have donated kit 

END OF YEAR BOXING UP

We sent out 92 boxes today, which included 40 boxes of Puma trainers, to Zambia, Gambia, Eastern Europe and South Africa. The really good news is that we have topped the 800 box barrier as we have so far sent out 815 boxes in 2011, approx 28,500 items of kit. Quite amazing when you think we have between us all unpacked many hundreds of bags/boxes, sorted and re-boxed this many individual items. Also 28,500 smiles across the world! Hope you like the photo, KitAid Santa's bringing happiness across the globe!!

CHRISTMAS CLEAR OUT

Tidying up the house for Christmas? Buying new kit as presents? Remember to clear out any no longer wanted shirts and if you're in Manchester, you can drop them into Mundo Football in the Arndale Centre - our official kit collection point. Click here for the Manchester Evening News