Stockport County FC has officially launched a new charity campaign, 'Project Fair Play.' Organised by the Plough on Heaton Moor Road, the footie-focused initiative aims to be a high scorer for disadvantaged children in the UK and in South Africa (where the 2010 Football World Cup is being hosted) by providing them with fantastic football facilities.
Blowing the starting whistle with a 'Shirt Amnesty', the Plough is asking fans to dig out their unwanted football shirts (especially children's ones) to donate at the pub. Instead of continuing to languish at the back of the wardrobe, the old strips will be taken directly to disadvantaged youngsters at the Ukhanyo School in Masiphumelele, South Africa, where they will be worn with pride as they excitedly watch the World Cup.
The Plough also wants to raise enough cash to build a new sports ground at the school through the Happy Africa Foundation, and kit it out with 500 new 'Alive and Kicking' footballs, so the kids are ready for kick off.
Despite the World Cup being held in South Africa, millions of children there have never played football, or 'diski' as they colloquially call it, 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 carries an important message about HIV/Aids and malaria.
Not forgetting how much our youngsters love the beautiful game, Project Fair Play also aims to buy Fairtrade footballs to help sports projects for disabled and disadvantaged kids in the UK through children's charity, 'KidsOut'.
Anne Barnett, Pub Manager of The Plough, said: "We're footie mad at the Plough, so what better way to raise funds for our latest charity drive than through our biggest passion. Knowing how much our customers love their football, we're sure there's going to be no shortage of old shirts coming out of the closet for the Shirt Amnesty!"
She added, "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 that we're helping to make football a fantastic experience for youngsters here and in South Africa too."
