Fair play to pub staff

Published 14 Apr 2010 17:09 2 Comments

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HAVING A BALL: Francis Carr and Lisa Cooperwhite show off some of the shirts. Pic by STewart Robertson

By Jennifer Black

FOOTBALL fans in Renfrewshire are being asked to dig out old strips to help children in South Africa.

Phoneix Retail Park pub and restaurant the Bobbin Mill has launched a shirt amnesty and are aiming to send as many shirts as possible out to the country in time for the kick-off of the World Cup.

The amnesty is part of the pub's charity campaign 'Project Fair Play' and they are asking fans to search in their wardrobes for their unwanted football shirts, especially children's ones, and hand them into the Bobbin Mill.

They will then be collected and delivered to townships in Johannesburg, as well as disadvantaged youngsters in Cape Town.

The pub has already received over 300 shirts but are urging people to hand in more.

Assistant manager, Lindsay MacGregor, said: "It's a really good cause, we are asking everyone to give us your shirts, hand them all in, we will take as many as we can get.

"It's been really good so far, we have had a really good response."

The staff don't mind what team it is or how old the shirt is, just as long as it is in good condition.

The amnesty will run until the end of April so fans still have a few weeks to get digging for their old tops.

The Bobbin Mill's general manager, Francis Carr, explained that the charity campaign is important to all the staff at the pub.

He said: "Project Fair Play is set to make this year's Football World Cup even more special for everyone at the pub, as we enjoy the on-pitch excitement knowing we're helping make football a fantastic experience for youngsters here and in South Africa too."

The pub is also fundraising to build a new sports ground at Ukhanyo School, in Masiphumelele, through the Happy Africa Foundation.

The school will also be kitting out with 'Alive and Kicking' footballs.

Despite the World Cup being held in South Africa, millions of children there have never played football with a real ball.

The specially created 'Alive and Kicking' balls are tough, repairable footballs made using African skills and African leather specifically for use on African terrain.

Each ball also carries an important message about HIV/Aids and malaria.

This article appeared in The Gazette 14 Apr 10

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David Mackie
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Apr 19, 09:15
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hmmmm garbage

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Linwood No More
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May 15, 21:58
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Non-story alert

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