COWDENBEATH Rotary Club’s project to send football strips to needy children in Kenya in time for Christmas took a major step forward last week when a series of packages headed for Mombasa.

The club’s community convener, John Gilfillan, is pictured (right) with Andy Honeyman, who has been co-ordinating the transportation of the near 500 strips to Kenya.

Said John: “We have been so pleased with the support local football clubs and the public have given us with this venture.

“Football is a popular sport in the Mombasa area, but unfortunately there is a lot of poverty there and many girls and boys do not have strips to enjoy playing in.”

Among the clubs who have backed the cause are Cowdenbeath, Dundonald Bluebell, Crossgates Primrose, Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, Benarty Astros, Lochgelly Albert, Lochgelly United, Hill of Beath Hawthorn and Jeanfield Swifts, while the Village Inn, in Cardenden, also made valuable donations.

John added: “Also supporting the cause has been James Scott, a Black Watch veteran, who kindly donated his personal collection of brand new Liverpool tops!

“I am extremely grateful to all the local football teams and the many individuals who helped to ensure that the street boys and girls in Mombasa will have a nice Christmas present, and Andy Honeyman for his help in ensuring the strips will get to the eager footballers in Kenya.

“We are hoping to get photographs of the strips being handed over to the street teams and I’m sure the boys and girls will be very proud and pleased to wear the logos of the Central Fife teams."