Our football crazy kids are sporting new kits thanks to the efforts of a Lancashire family.
From football kits in the AFC Fylde colours to cricket gear from Lytham Cricket Club plus lots of good-as-new gear from other local clubs the children are now equipped for sporting action.
Donated by the club, the kits were amongst cases full of sporting equipment collected and delivered to Children of Watamu's Happy House children's home in Kenya by Joanne Reid, her husband Peter and sons,Jacob, 17, and Maxwell,15.
They had planned a day of their holiday at the Happy House, which is home to 55 orphaned, abandoned, neglected or abused children, after reading about how former Blackpool hotelier Sue Hayward had founded the charity and built three schools before opening her Happy House last year.
The Reid family, from Lytham, launched a mini-appeal to sporting organisations, friends and colleagues, and were overwhelmed by the wonderful gifts of sports gear and other essentials they received.
Just back from Kenya, Jo said: "As a family our aim was to help improve sporting resources for the children - something we accept as normal for most young children in this country.
"We have all individually and as family developed through sport and benefited massively from the impact it has had on our lives.
"Sport is also a great leveller," added Jo.
"Our boys , privileged enough to attend a school like Arnold, need to also see how other children live. The Happy House children have all come from the worst possible circumstances - dire poverty or neglect.
" My boys thoroughly enjoyed the day we spent at the Happy House and received such a warm welcome from Sue, her husband Dave and all the family.
"As well as the AFC Fylde kits, which the kids loved, we also took other sporting equipment for cricket etc.
"But it was football that was the key. It was great to see all these kids in local football kits AFC Fylde,Blackpool and Preston kits and all in the same teams!
"Jacob took the girls' team and Maxwell took the boys' team as they went head to head in a friendly match - but it was the girls that won! Maxwell's bruises from a tackle by Janet are only just going!
"What a great experience it was for all of us. What Sue and her charity has achieved is remarkable and to such a high standard.
"Not a day goes past when I do not thinking about you all.
"We are so grateful to everyone who helped us by donating equipment etc."
A big thank you and lots of love to Jo and all her family for going to such lengths to
