Gareth Southgate marks one million milestone for Hemel-based KitAid charity
Gareth Southgate marks one million milestone for Hemel-based KitAid charity
England manager Gareth Southgate presented an England shirt to mark the one millionth piece of kit donated to the Hemel Hempsteadbased KitAid Charity for sports projects in Africa , Asia , South America and Eastern Europe . The presentation was made at St George ’ s Park , ahead of the England match against Ukraine .
Founded 25 years ago by Derrick Williams MBE from Hemel Hempstead , KitAid receives support from clubs across the whole football pyramid , from the Premier League to grassroots park teams . Some of the big donors include The English FA , Arsenal , Liverpool , Everton , Watford , Nottingham Forest , Reading and Cardiff City , as well as non- league clubs such as Hemel Hempstead Town , Chesham United , FC United of Manchester and Marine AFC .
KitAid also supports other sports such as netball , athletics and golf by providing clothing and equipment . And despite receiving no grants itself , KitAid manages to fund football related projects in Malawi , Uganda and Belfast .
KitAid is a 100 percent volunteer-run charity founded in 1998 following a visit to Tanzania by Derrick Williams , where he spotted a young boy wearing a ragged Liverpool FC shirt . On his return , he showed a photo to local friends and they decided to fill a box with kit to send to the boy ’ s village of Ntalikwa in Tanzania . It received such a good reaction , they decided to widen the collection to grassroots clubs in the Hemel Hempstead and Watford area . Twenty-five years on , the charity has over 100 volunteers and has sent over 28,500 boxes of kit donated by clubs and organisations across the UK . The late Graham Taylor OBE was Patron of KitAid from 2005 until his untimely passing in 2017 .
The charity ’ s 25th Anniversary and one millionth milestone was celebrated at a special fund-raising dinner at the Watford FC Stadium in Vicarage Road on Friday 8 September . “ I am delighted that KitAid has reached the major milestone of donating one million items of kit , in our 25th Anniversary year ,” said Derrick Williams . “ It has been a tremendous effort by all of our volunteers and we could not have achieved this without the help of hundreds of clubs supporting our work . Every item of kit makes a difference , enables someone to participate in sport and brings a smile to their day .”
Debbie Hewitt , MBE , Chair of the Football Association said “ Over the years , KitAid has helped the FA to make sure that our redundant England kit is sorted , packaged and distributed and your hard work and dedication is an inspiration to us . We are proud to be associated with you and send our very best wishes and gratitude to your volunteers and supporters for the truly great work that you do .”
Urgent call for more storage Due to its success in getting more clubs to donate kit , KitAid is desperately running out of storage . “ If anyone has any empty storage or warehouse units in the Hemel area , we would be extreme grateful for their help ,” said Derrick Williams . “ People can get in touch via our website or social media .”
For more information please visit www . kitaid . net or email kitaidcharity @ gmail . com
18 < Boxmoor Direct < October 2023 <