Kit Aid Donation Collection!

On Tuesday 23rd June, we once again welcomed the charity Kit Aid onto the Park for the collection of donations.

For several years we have been donating sports kit and shoes to Kit Aid, who then distribute it amongst developing countries around the world and so far have donated to 55 countries. This was initially co-ordinated by Sharon Deller, House Manager of Reckitt House, and has been ongoing for several years now.

Kit Aid was set up by Derrick Williams MBE, after vising Tanzania on a Water Aid supporters’ trip in 1998. He was inspired to create the charity after the reception he received from children and adults in remote villages just because he was wearing one of his favourite football shirts, supporting Watford, Liverpool and Chesham Utd. He saw an opportunity to help provide kit and equipment to the bare-footed children playing with footballs made of tied string and plastic bags.

Mark Smith, Trustee and Treasurer for Kit Aid, came to collect at Reckitt House and had to say: “I’ve been coming to collect old kit once or twice a year here. Largely we distribute to Africa, but not exclusively. We collect kits primarily for Football but also Rugby, Cricket, Hockey, Netball to name a few. We get donations from professional clubs, like Crystal Palace or Manchester United, but we also collect from grass roots clubs and schools too. We’ve been going for 25 years now and we’re up to somewhere about 1.4 million items having gone out so far. We’re run totally by volunteers, it’s run on good will and volunteers. We just continuously keeps going which is absolutely fabulous!”

Sharon had to add: “Asking students and parents to donate sportwear to the children in underdeveloped countries creates a sense of togetherness and community. It would be a life saver for a young child in Africa for protection on their feet, rather than footwear being disposed into UK landfill. To work closely with these undeveloped countries brings a real feel of happiness that we are able to support them.”

We are very proud to be supporters of the amazing work that Kit Aid does, so if you’d like to learn further about their charity you can visit their website here.

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