Footy coaches in Africa aid mission

KATIE BOWLER

FIVE football coaches from Burton are to travel to Africa to work with more than 100 orphaned children.

Winshill FC is sending out five FA trained coaches, as well as two church workers, to take part in the Restoration of Hope project.

The seven will be flying out to Burundi on April 3, for 10 days, with the aim of providing children with football kits, training children to learn the sport so they can follow it on when the coaches leave and taking part in a DIY project to help improve the local homes.

The Restoration of Hope project was established by an English couple, Honda and Libby, who live in Bujumbura, after they were followed home by three street boys looking for food. The couple now run three orphan homes in the area as well as supporting children from the village Sabe, to help provide food, education and essential medicines.

Winshill FC posted football kits to some of the children, and now they hope to collect even more for their Easter visit.

Winshill FC secretary Gary Dunne said: "We have never done anything like this before or been to Africa. We are very excited, but a little apprehensive about what we might see, experience or come across. Our main aim is to teach football skills to adults and children for them to continue playing after we leave.

"We are looking for people to sponsor us or donate old football kits and old Premier shirts, trainers or moulded football boots."

During the 10-day project, intensive football coaching will be provided in the mornings, followed by DIY work on the homes in the afternoons.

Events will be taking place in the lead-up to the project including a sportsmen's dinner at Burton Albion's Pirelli Stadium on February 11, a Winshill FC vs Derby Ex-Rams match to compete for the Winshill Charity Cup and a football fun day on December 20.

Further details on each event will be published closer to the time.

More information about the project and ways to help support the campaign is available at www.rofh.org, or at www.winshillfc.co.uk, or by telephoning Mr Dunne on 01283 567416.