Boots2Africa will be hosting another of their preloved football boot donation events at Thursday’s Open Day at Portman Road (gates open 9.30am).

Boots2Africa is a small community interest company established in 2016 with the aim of collecting and delivering one million pairs of preloved donated football boots and astros - as well as other kit - to children and young adults across Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.

“We're now just short of 6,000 boots donated in less than two full football seasons,” co-founder Iain Finch told TWTD.

“Town fans have been major players in us being able to support children in eight African countries, soon to be nine as we’ll be supporting a community project in Juba, South Sudan very soon.

“Of note last year Frank, who plays for Boxford Rovers and attends Ipswich School, collected and donated 75 pairs under his own steam. Let's hope we see something similar this year!”

He added: “For millions of children in rural Africa who have only a T-shirt and a pair of shorts to stand up in, a pair of donated boots, shorts or a fresh football shirt to wear and play football in is an incredibly valuable gift they can use everyday that reduces risk from infection and snakebites, promotes good foot health and general hygiene and, in a World Cup year, they too can dream big like all little boys and girls do!”

Write to Boots2Africa via info@boots2Africa.co.uk if you'd like to get involved in collections or donations, their website can be found here, while they can be followed on Twitter here, @Boots2Africa, are on Facebook here and have a YouTube video channel.

Photos: Contributed

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