Brentwood School Preparatory pupils have been bringing in their old football boots to send them to children in Africa who are less fortunate than them.  The school has collected nearly 300 pairs of football boots in all shapes, sizes and colours and they will now be cleaned and sent to children to provide opportunities for them and their communities to have fun playing football.  

The pupils were visited today by the Boots for Africa Project Manager, Rory Slater from Sheffield FC who came to thank the pupils and pick up the overflowing bags of boots.  Rory explained that the charity began out of a South African township where Sheffield FC Chairman Richard Tims dreamed of doing something to help change the face of football for those living in Africa.  Seeing Children playing the game in their bare feet on rubble strewn pavements left Richard asking what can be done to help. It was obvious to him those kicking a ball to each other shared the same passion and love millions of more fortunate fans around the globe have for the sport.

Rory commented: "Football is at the heart of many African communities and brings people together, I'd like to thank the pupils of Brentwood Preparatory School for their generous donation of 300 football boots and £183, (which they raised by having a Cake Sale).  These boots will make a real difference to the children's lives and will offer a generation of young people affected by poverty, poor health and lack of opportunity a new sense of hope, pride and ambition for themselves and for their country". 

The Boots for Africa appeal sent 5000 boots to Africa last year and hope to quadruple that number this year.  South Africa will be hosting the World Cup next year so these boots are very timely.