Garston Ladies brave the cold to show support for KitAid (From Watford Observer)

Garston Ladies brave the cold to show support for KitAid

10:10am Tuesday 7th February 2012 in News By Frazer Ansell

Players from Garston Ladies refused to let the wintery conditions spoil their weekend, as they gathered at the weekend to launch the club’s new partnership with KitAid.

With the frost and snow putting paid to the weekend’s fixtures, girls from Garston’s two Under 11 teams (the Mets and the Diamonds) turned up at the Met Police Club in Bushey for a photoshoot instead.

Managers from the club have been busily scouring their garages and attics in search of old Garston Ladies kits and were able to fill three bin liners full of shirts, shorts and socks.

The kits will now be sent by KitAid to South Africa where they will be gratefully received by local girls’ football clubs.

KitAid was started by Veolia Water employee Derrick Williams MBE, who visited Tanzania on a WaterAid supporters' trip in 1998.

Derrick was amazed at the reception he received from children and adults in remote villages just because he wearing his favourite football shirt. After just two weeks in Africa, a flame was lit in Derrick's heart: ten years on, KitAid has Graham Taylor as its Patron, and to date has sent out more than 100,000 kits to children and adults in 30 different countries across the world.

Ray Smith, Chairman of Garston Ladies FC spoke of his delight at the partnership between Garston and KitAid. “We are one of a small number of female clubs working with KitAid. Women’s football is a huge growth area in Africa and Garston Ladies is proud to be playing a part in its development.”