Boots and kit for the Townships
The Pin Point NABC League are proud to support John Brunton and his colleagues at North Shields Juniors AFC as they attempt to provide hundereds of South Africans with boots and playing kit in the lead up to 2010 FIFA World Cup.
North Shields Juniors AFC have launched a mercy mission to take thousands of football kits to children in South Africa. John Brunton – one of four trustees at North Shields Juniors’ AFC – visited Cape Town in 2009, where he handed out more than 120 kilos of sports equipment. But the scenes which greeted him and his wife in two poverty-stricken townships profoundly affected them, prompting them to embark on an even bigger drive to bring some happiness to the football-mad youngsters.
John, said:
“These children have nothing at all – no water or electricity, let alone shirts and boots – so they were very appreciative, and kept asking if we would be bringing more.
“So I’ve spoken to the four other trustees at the club and we’ve agreed to put out a call to every club in Northumberland and North Tyneside Football Association, asking all of them to donate unwanted kit, and we’ll be making another trip out to South Africa for 2010.”
John plans to spend three days in South
Africa this year, personally delivering
shirts, boots, tracksuits and other sports
equipment the region’s Football Association
donates.
He said: “It has really bothered us ever
since we got back. So, next year, we want to
be able to fill a whole shipping container to
ship out and I’ll spend a day in each of three
townships handing it out.
“I don’t know how much sports kit we’ll need. It must be thousands of shirts, but if every club responds in the way North Shields Juniors did and they amassed 120 kilos of secondhand kit on their own – we should manage it. After all, it’s kit that otherwise goes to waste.”
To contact John Brunton from North Shields JAFC and find out how you can help:
- Phone 0191 253 2288
- Mobile 07860 735 370
- or visit www.northshieldsjuniorsafc.co.uk
- Read a PDF version of last years press coverage
Item published 14/2/10