As part of the ‘Taking Football to Africa and Beyond’ charitable appeal, a mixed military and civilian team operating from RAF Shawbury in North Shropshire has completed a huge delivery of donated kit and football shirts to Kenya in East Africa, including those from a number of Essex-based clubs.

Set up in 2006, the appeal, which delivers ‘Aid Through Football’ across the globe, is organised by Wing Commander Neil Hope MBE and Squadron Leader Mark Smales. To date, 377,423 items of kit, including over 106,427 football shirts, have been delivered to 63 countries worldwide. Grays Athletic, Hullbridge Sports and Tilbury were amongst those who donated.

The appeal recently became part of Lottie’s Way, the Charlotte Hope Foundation, set-up to support less privileged children and adults across the world in honour of Charlotte Hope, who was tragically killed in a car crash in April 2022. Charlotte was an integral part of the appeal, and she volunteered at the Restart Centre in Gilgil, Kenya.

The delivery took place earlier this year, with Essex County FA Life Member Alec Berry forming part of the team. They completed 35 separate deliveries in and around Nairobi and Gilgil, delivering 18,901 items in total, including 5,331 football shirts. They interacted with children and adults in the areas of Kibera, Kibagare and Mathare, as well as schools, orphanages and football teams who were all in need of essential, life-changing aid.

Donations came from teams and organisations across the UK, including The FA and Premier League clubs such as Leicester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers, plus Wallsend Boys Club and many others. The appeal’s local club, Shrewsbury Town, also donated kit, as well as various County FAs: Essex, Sheffield & Hallamshire, Hampshire, Worcestershire.

Neil Hope MBE explained: “This delivery visit was superb in allowing the appeal to renew its friendships across Kenya. Building on our continued success, coupled with this being my 18th Kenya delivery trip, and with over 120 people taking part over the years, this was special, especially given the emotional issues in continuing to return to the country and people my daughter cherished.”

“I’m proud we’ve now started fundraising for Lottie’s Way, with some excellent work by the charity lead, Chris Hope, and the trustees. We were able to start spending the funds raised on this visit, providing essential aid for Starkids Academy in Githorogo, The Rotary School in Kibera and STATRA Academy in Kibera. I’d like to thank all the people, clubs and schools that donated items delivered on this visit and to the appeal, as well as all who’ve helped us achieve this amazing success.”

Learn more about the appeal by following this link. You can find out information about various volunteer opportunities within local football in the menus above. You can also interact with @EssexCountyFA on X and search for ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.