Gary Lamb (front left) with sponsors who have financed 500 Sunderland football shirts t o be sent off to a Kenyan Football Team. They are seen here as the goods are being loaded onto a truck for delivery. Published on Tuesday 28 February 2012 15:28 AN APPEAL to help poverty-stricken footballers thousands of miles away has out-stripped all expectations. Kind-hearted fans collected more than 500 Sunderland strips, which are now being packaged up and sent to Kenya. The campaign started at the beginning of the year after Black Cats devotee Gary SAFC Lamb came across the Facebook page of Sunderland AFC Keroche. The club began to follow the Wearside team after Africans Asamoah Gyan and John Mensah signed for the squad. Its players face walking great distances to reach fixtures and issued a plea for equipment and cash to secure their future and cover the cost of transport and hosting games. Now Gary and a number of other supporters have seen more than 500 tops, more than 100 pairs of football boots and piles of socks, shorts and shin guards boxed up and sent to the village, which is in the Rift Valley Province. The packages have been sent thanks to the backing of Sunderland AFCâs sponsor Tombola, with enough of last seasonâs strip sent over so that, like their Premier League namesake, the Kenyan team can also bear the company logo on their chest as they take to the pitch. Sponsors have also put up £2,100 to help the club or support specific players. Lorry driver Gary, 50, from Seaham, said: âItâs just been unbelievable. âAny expectations I had when we started off asking just disappeared. âWe want to keep on doing it and keep the sponsorship going. I doesnât matter whether donations are large or small, itâs all helping.â In addition to general costs, the money will also cover the price of extras including half-time fruit and sports drinks. Sponsors have included businesses and individuals whose hearts have been won by the teamâs plight. Gary and others are considering visiting the village in about a yearâs time. A meeting will be held at 1pm in the Wheatsheaf in Monkwearmouth on Saturday â the day before Sunderland take on Newcastle away - to discuss plans. Gary added: âAnyone who is interested in coming can join in the meeting. âWeâll be looking at the fixture list and try and work out when we can get out there for a match because their season runs differently to ours.â Anyone who would like more information can contact Gary on 07880 732 078. Comon you rich guys im sure there are a few out there who wouldn't mind donating a 20 squid for a good cause, just contact Gary on the phone number above, or OVERSEAS visit facebook SAFC Keroche, make some underprivileged people happy and put a smile back on there faces, go on i know you want to.
Just thought i'd update you on how they are doing now... Seems it's gathering pace, and all you would sent stuff should feel proud for helping.... Sunday 18th March, will be remembered as an historic day in our community, the shirts which were donated to our community, by the fans of Sunderland AFC in England, were distributed to our fans, and as you can see word spread like a bush fire. After the hand-out of shirts the team played a final friendly game against the NAIVASHA COMMANDOES, who are leagues above us, and a very fit & professional team of prison wardens. We beat them 2-1 to complete an amazing day. To everyone in the UK and around the world who has donated to our team. MAY GOD BLESS EACH & EVERYONE OF YOU. Next week the serious business starts, we kick-off our new season, and now approach this with confidence very high. "HAWAY THE LADS" https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.382735731751047.99166.353417464682874&type=1
