FCUM boost charity haul, again!

The Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's charity partner KitAid has sent its thanks to FC United of Manchester for another big collection at Gigg Lane.

On Saturday more than 500 items of kit were donated by fans before the club's 1-0 win over Worksop Town in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division. FCUM ran their KitAid amnesty for the fourth year running with the event combining with the club's own Youth United Day to attract a gate of 2,761.

KitAid have donated more than 200,000 items of unwanted kit to thousands of disadvantaged young players around the world since 1998 and became the NPL's official charity last season. Founder Derrick Williams, MBE, thanked FCUM for their efforts and revealed that a college student team in Kenya will soon running out proudly wearing their colours.

He said: "It was another great collection and we are really grateful for the ongoing support given by our KitAid Ambassador Club FC United. This is the fourth collection we have held at a game and each time we come away with more kit.

"It is also great that we are now receiving FC United replica shirts and we will be forming a squads worth of their kit to meet a request from Naivasha Polytechnic in Kenya. We would like to thank the club and their fans and wish them well in their end of season push for promotion."

FCUM's latest effort is another boost to the recent haul of contributions from NPL clubs gathered during KitAid's Easter Weekend Collection. On Wednesday First Division South Lincoln revealed they were set to deliver another five full kits and a bundle of football items donated by teams in their area.

Spokesman John Wilkinson said the Whites have been delighted to help such a worthy cause again after seeing the results of previous efforts by their fans.

He said: "Lincoln United enjoy their connection with KitAid because of the feedback we get from Africa. Not just because it is a worthy cause. We have had email contact with players and teams who have worn the Kit and have been kept in touch via photos and Match Reports.

More NPL clubs than ever have supported KitAid's efforts this season following a fresh recruitment campaign to get more on board. Apart from Lincoln United and FCUM, others have included Brigg Town, Bamber Bridge, New Mills, Ossett Town, Ossett Albion, Nantwich Town, Curzon Ashton, Marine, Sutton Coldfield Town, Matlock Town, North Ferriby United, Rushall Olympic and Witton Albion.

The more ambitious among the charity's latest recruits are also on the road to be becoming KitAid Ambassador clubs like FC United of Manchester, Marine and Witton Albion, rewarded with the special status for their extra efforts on behalf of the charity which counts clubs from across the country and at all levels as supporters and has former England manager Graham Taylor, OBE, as its patron.

For more information on Kit Aid visit: www.kitaid.net.