Football fans give shirts off their own backs!

Football fans from all over the UK have been donating their shirts to help football-loving youngsters in the deprived Paarl East region of South Africa.

In December last year, WER teamed up with the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy to launch the ‘One Common Goal’ campaign, in an attempt to raise funds and provide football kits for disadvantaged children.

The campaign has been a huge success with over 900 shirts having been collected for the cause and over £3,000 raised via in-store collection boxes!

Former Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace star Mark Bright, the official ambassador of the project, was on hand last week to count the shirts at Millwall’s New Den ground, and celebrate the success of the initiative.

He said: “This shirt amnesty has really captured the imagination of fans up and down the country. Every person who has donated a shirt deserves applause as they will make a big difference to a youngster in a developing community.”

All football shirts received will now be shipped out to Paarl East, where youngsters will be able to train and play in better quality kits. Find out more about WER’s Sports and Community programme in South Africa here.