Football appeal celebrates latest successful year - with another 8,500 football shirts handed out by Shropshire charity

A football shirt charity based in North Shropshire is celebrating yet another hugely successful year.

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The Taking Football to Africa and Beyond Appeal operates from RAF Shawbury and collects donations of football shirts and kit for re-distribution to less privileged adults and children across the globe.

The appeal delivered around 30,000 items in 2024.

It has now been revealed that in 2024 the appeal handed out close to 8,500 football shirts and more than 21,500 other items of kit and clothing - approximately 30,000 items altogether, to countries across the world.

More than 8,500 football shirts were handed out. — Nearly 8,500 football shirts were handed out.

The 2024 appeal also included some countries receiving their first donations, such as Antigua & Barbuda, Georgia, Cambodia, Somaliland, Moldova and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

The appeal has delivered more than 400,000 items since it started in 2006.

The appeal began in 2006 and continues to grow, delivering kit to 68 different countries to date, with full totals now at 401,238 items, including 113,067 shirts.

More than 30,000 items of kit were delivered this year.

Professional and grass-roots clubs, schools and individuals from across the United Kingdom continue to assist in ensuring the success of the appeal by donating their unwanted kit, often in large amounts.

More than 8,500 football shirts were given out. — Nearly 8,500 football shirts were given out.

The appeal said that major donations in 2024 included Colchester United, Aston Villa, The FA (England), Leicester City, Rawmarsh St Joseph’s JFC, Wolverhampton Wanderers, QPR, Arsenal, Essex FA, Hampshire FA, Huntingdonshire FA, Worcestershire FA and many others.

The appeal, which started in 2006, has given out more than 400,000 piece of football kit. — The appeal, which started in 2006, has given out more than 400,000 pieces of football kit.

The appeal, run by Squadron Leader Mark Smales and retired Wing Commander Neil Hope MBE, relies on the goodwill and help of many people in the UK and across the world, especially in Kenya (BATUK and Braeburn Garden Estate School) and Nepal (The Gurkha Welfare Trust), where a significant amount of the kit is donated.

Neil Hope said he was extremely proud of the appeal's impact.

In January 2024, the appeal assisted in the creation of Lottie’s Way – The Charlotte Hope Foundation.

The foundation, in memory of Neil’s 19-year-old daughter, aims to raise funds in Lottie’s name that will be allocated to organisations assisting in ensuring the provision of education and feeding of less privileged children worldwide.

More than 8,500 shirts were delivered this year.

While the shirts appeal will always be inherently linked to Lottie’s Way it continues to operate in a purely non-financed model.

Neil said: “I am extremely proud to see the success of the appeal over so many years. Our links to Lottie’s Way allow us to celebrate Charlotte’s short life, which was cruelly taken from us by a drug driver, due her links to the appeal, something she tirelessly assisted with, and to her efforts in volunteering in Kenya.

A host of clubs donated kit, including Wolverhampton Wanderers.

"Hopefully the continued efforts of both the appeal and the charity will help so many others. Appeal wise, due my recent retirement from the RAF after 42 years the lead has been handed to Mark, with whom I will continue to work. We were so pleased to pass many milestones this year including a very successful Kenya delivery trip and passing the incredible 400,000 items.”

The appeal delivered more than 30,000 pieces of kit.

After taking over the lead of the appeal Mark said: “I am extremely honoured and humbled that Neil has entrusted me with continuing the amazing work that has been achieved so far.

"Having visited Kenya several times I’ve witnessed first hand the joy and hope that something as simple as a football shirt can bring, and so I appreciate the importance of what the appeal does.

"Luckily I have Neil’s experience and support to rely on as we seek to go from strength to strength and achieve even more success.”