Fans urged to back AITC’s boot appeal
Brighton & Hove Albion and Albion in the Community are calling for supporters to donate unwanted football boots to those who need them most at the upcoming Aston Villa game.
Albion in the Community have identified an increasing number of children attending its sessions who can’t afford appropriate or safe footwear to take part in its activities.
The charity delivers 30 sessions each week of the popular Premier League Kicks programme in high need areas across Sussex, giving young people access to play free football to help get them active, learn new skills, and keep them off the street and away from trouble. This week the Kicks programme has celebrated its 15-year anniversary.
Matt Dorn, chief executive of AITC explained: “Football makes a significant difference to young lives: by supporting health and wellbeing, encouraging communication and teamwork, and helping to avoid trouble. Unfortunately, many of the participants that we work with from the most disadvantaged backgrounds cannot afford appropriate footwear or equipment to take part.
In the past 15 years we have supported more than 15,000 participants in our Premier League Kicks sessions. We want to ensure there are no barriers to taking part and make football a game for all with no financial obstacles to attending sessions. That’s why we are appealing to fans to donate any unwanted boots for us to distribute to families who need it most.”
AITC are looking for donations of unwanted boots in all sizes (children and adults) in new or used condition. This can include:
- Football boots
- Astroturf trainers
You can donate boots at the Albion’s home matches against Aston Villa on 26 Feb by using the drop off point on station approach before kick-off.
Any footwear that is donated will be distributed to children and young people participating in AITC’s activities from low-income families.
The appeal has been backed by Brighton & Hove Albion men’s and women’s players with boots already donated from the first teams, development squads, academy scholars and club staff.
You can donate new or used boots at the AITC drop-off point on Station Approach up until 3pm before the Aston Villa game on 26 February.