Youth day suits KitAid

KitAid's charity workers are reminding clubs that regional volunteers are still picking up kit donated over Easter and recruiting new clubs as the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's official charity partner gears up for an expected bumper collection at FC United of Manchester's Youth United Day on Saturday.

FCUM take on Worksop Town in the Premier Division and hundreds of young fans from across Manchester are expected to boost the gate by attending Youth United Day which coincides with the club's annual collection as a KitAid Ambassador Club.

KitAid's founder Derrick Williams, MBE, and many of the charity's regional co-ordinators are attending the fixture to deliver donations already collected from clubs in recent weeks following another successful effort by the NPL's fans and officials over the Easter weekend.

FC United's Youth United Day can only aid spreading the word about their work, says the charity. Since 1998, KitAid has sent more than 200,000 unwanted kits and equipment to under-privileged young footballers in more than 40 countries around the world.

Activities at Gigg Lane will include a parade of youth achievement around the pitch, dance and drama workshops, street football, banner and flag making, a climbing wall, face painting and badge making. Young supporters will also get a chance to have their photos taken with FCUM's stars and get their autographs before the clash.

Peter Moulds, KitAid's Regional Co-ordinator for Greater Manchester and North Cheshire, said: "FC United are pushing for promotion and the atmosphere at their games is always brilliant so this was a good opportunity for our Northern-based regional co-ordinators to hand over to Derrick the kit they've collected in recent weeks.

"Shirts, socks, shorts, boots and other equipment are then boxed and sent out to children and adults who also love football but live in some of the poorest places in the world. Thank you to everybody for their efforts."

More clubs than ever supported KitAid's efforts this year following a fresh recruitment campaign by the NPL's charity partner. Clubs who took part included Brigg Town, Bamber Bridge, New Mills, AFC Ossett Town, Ossett Albion, Nantwich Town, Curzon Ashton, Marine, Sutton Coldfield Town, Matlock Town, North Ferriby United, Rushall Olympic, Witton Albion and FCUM.