MORE than 6,000 pairs of football shoes and 9,500 pieces of kit are being shipped to children, schools, football academies and other organisations in eight countries of equatorial and southern Africa.

Children from across East Anglia and scores of organisations, grassroots and professional clubs including Colchester United have donated their pre-loved items to Boots2Africa.

This has been achieved in less than two full seasons by the micro charity, co-founded by Iain Finch, of Alresford.

He said: “Our next season target from September will be 5,000 boots donated and delivered which will take us to over 10,000 in three years which is truly amazing as it all began from a simple idea on a Sunday morning that turned into a thing.

"We’re getting invitations from an increasing number of clubs, both professional and grassroots, plus county football associations to attend their events.

"When we see evidence coming back from countries like Malawi, Kenya, Zambia and Ghana, that boys and girls from organisations we’ve supported are now playing for their national teams at youth level, that makes us feel incredibly humbled that the donations here are really making a difference to African lives."

The aim of recycling the boots is to help keep children's feet free from infection and disease, Iain said, and also to support the advancement of football in nations which typically underachieve in the World Cup.

Boots2Africa will be at the upcoming Col U versus Port Vale game at the JobServe Community Stadium this Saturday.

Bring your pre-loved boots, astros, trainers and kits, which are clean and in a good condition.

Email info@boots2africa.co.uk with any enquiries including hosting your own boot donation event.

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