AFC Hull, an amateur football club playing in the East Riding Amateur League, are asking people to donate their unwanted football boots to the children of Africa.
The ‘Boots for Africa’ appeal collects and delivers thousands of cleaned up and tied up pairs of used football boots to the children of Africa. Football helps to build communities, develop social understanding and improve the lives of millions of people around the planet. The ‘Boots for Africa’ Appeal will help to develop the skills and fitness of aspiring disadvantaged children, and provide more children with the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful game.
AFC Hull’s chairman, Peter McCabe, said “A lot is money is invested in developing countries on improving infrastructure, healthcare and so on, but it is also important to remember that just like any young people in the so-called developed world, the youth of Africa also have dreams and aspirations and want to enjoy sport. A pair of football boots, even an old pair that someone might just throw out would be an incredible gift to a young person in 
Africa, allowing them to play safely on the rough dirt pitches which are commonplace and enabling them to enjoyment their football.”
The Boots for Africa campaign was originally started by the world’s oldest football club, Sheffield FC. During a visit to Africa, Sheffield chairman Richard Tims saw children playing the game in their bare feet on rubble-strewn pavements. It was obvious to him those kicking a ball to each other shared the same passion and love millions of more fortunate fans around the world have for the sport. And so the ‘Boots for Africa’ appeal was born.
The campaign has a distribution network throughout Africa and has already arranged to send boots to communities in South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana and Zambia ahead of the World Cup in South Africa in 2010. Every pair of boots that are donated will be received in Africa by a young person who has never had a pair of football boots.
Among the supporters of the campaign is FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who described the ‘Boots for Africa’ campaign as “a fantastic initiative and one we applaud at FIFA as it continues our aims of ensuring football is made available to all and helping to build a better future.”
An AFC Hull spokesman said, “We are delighted that AFC Hull is going to be involved in the Boots for Africa campaign. Football unites the world over, and we look forward to helping, with the support of the community, disadvantaged children in Africa to enjoy the sport. We hope that the public and local businesses will also support this worthy cause.”
AFC Hull, who play their home matches on the University’s 3G ground, have set up collection points across Hull where people can take their boots. These are: The Ship Inn, Ann Watson Street; Staks Cafe Bar, 370 Beverley Road; and Advanced Teamwear, 964 Anlaby Road. People can also take their boots to AFC Hull matches at the University of Hull sports ground on Inglemire Lane on Saturdays.
Entry to watch AFC Hull’s matches (which kick off at 2pm) is free, and the club warmly welcome support from anyone who would like to cheer on their young team and have an afternoon’s free entertainment at the University’s sports centre. Details of the club and its fixtures can be found on their website at www.afchull.com.
If you would like more information about AFC Hull and its involvement in the ‘Boots for Africa’ campaign, you can visit the club’s website at www.afchull.com, email contact@afchull.com or telephone or text 07818707454.
Ashley Fisher
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