NEWTON Athletic have sent a van full of football kits to an African village where the club sponsors a child.
The Chester club’s under 6 and U7 teams have collected the unwanted kits and old Newton strips to send to the Kilombero Valley in Tanzania to provide sports kit for the children out there, including Ezekieli Sikaluzwe.
The teams have sponsored the seven-year-old, whose parents are peasant farmers, for a season after Newton manager Graham Page mooted the idea.
“I sponsor a child myself and thought it would be nice for the teams to sponsor one too,” he said. “They were keen so we did it.”
Newton, who also raised £343 for Sport Relief by running a mile in Wrexham, decided to donate all their old kits to young people in Ezekieli’s region trough the charity which manages their sponsorship, Plan.
Plan is based in London so the club has enlisted the help of Sandycroft-based courier company UK Sameday, who will take the kit to London to be flown to Africa.
“We would like to thank Paul Baker of UK Sameday for his help,” said Graham. “We have got a lot of kits and have spent many nights washing and ironing them and it is good that they are going to benefit people.”
A football course will be held by Newton Athletic at the Cheshire County Sports Club during the summer holidays.
For £25 youngsters in the age groups U6-U10s can enjoy three days of training and games with FA-qualified coaches.
From August 11-13, the introductory training course will run from 10am until 2pm.
To take part contact Graham Page on 01244 382430.
