The teams and organisers at Ross Juniors have been donating their used kit for over ten years, and have seen their second-hand kits worn in countries all over the world, including South Africa and Uganda. Most recently, pupils at Sir Harry Johnston International School, in Malawi, have been sporting the red and white attire.

The Headteacher of the school, James Elford, visited Ross-on-Wye recently and met with Gareth Nutt from Ross Juniors FC. Between them they tightly wrapped some used kits and took them back to Malawi as hand luggage. If the kit had been sent by courier it would have incurred import duties and possibly a great deal of time being ‘tied up in red tape’ at the border.

Gareth Nutt, who is one of the organisers of the Pan Disability section at Ross Juniors, used to teach in Africa, and his contacts there have allowed the club to find ways of donating their kit internationally. A spokesperson for Ross Juniors told the Ross Gazette that they will continue to donate their kits to children in other countries, and look forward to sending off the next bundle. They said: “It’s absolutely brilliant to see our old kit going to fantastic use.”

A spokesperson for Sir Harry Johnston International School said: “We are very grateful to Ross Juniors Football Club for kindly donating football shirts to our school. Our students looked fantastic in their new kit.”See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.