Mayland football club involved in KitAid donation to Africa

The donation from Mayland Village Football Club, based at Lawling Park, has provided kits to aspiring football stars in the Nyathi rural district in Zimbabwe.

Other clubs involved in the district are Heybridge Swifts and Maldon and Tiptree FC.

Essex volunteer Barrie Neal is involved in celebrating KitAid's 25th anniversary by visiting 25 football grounds across Essex and photographing the KitAid banner at each of the grounds.

The challenge aims to help raise awareness and funds for the charity.

Team: Nyathi Rural District young women’s team in Zimbabwe (Image: KitAid)

KitAid recently surpassed one million donations of shirts, shorts, socks and more to countries across Africa and the developing world which do not have access to resources.

Mr Neal said: “We are grateful to the very best of clubs, committee members, club staff and supporters from across Essex who have each helped KitAid do their work over the years and most recently helped our fundraising efforts on our road trip across Essex.

“As I pull up at the final destination, I am moved by the fact that KitAid has just announced reaching its target for a million items of kit and equipment donated since its formation in 1998, now in its 25th anniversary year.

“There is something special in sharing our kit and equipment with others.

Smiles: all smiles in the new kit from Mayland Football Club (Image: KitAid)

“Though our kit may be shared with people so far away, and people we may never know, they are people for whom we can be sure that the gift of kit and equipment is spreading smiles for the love of the game.

“The 2023 Road Trip, may be about to ‘park up’ but there remains so much still to be done.

“We know well, our own experience and joy of receiving our first kit. Magnify that tenfold and you see something of the power of your kit donation and the difference it can make to individuals and communities around the world, spreading smiles for the love of the game.”