A CHARITY has raised more than £3,500 to buy footballs for deprived children in South Africa.

People in Kidlington created the Fund a Football campaign last year to help orphans in North West Province, which has a long link with the village through the Anglican church.

Fund co-organiser Kathryn Ellis delivered two team kits and eight footballs to the children in the village’s link parish of All Saints, Montshiwa, near Mafikeng, earlier this year.

Organisers want to help children orphaned by Aids, malnutrition and poverty, get involved with this year’s football World Cup, being held in South Africa during June and July.

Mrs Ellis, who spent a week in the village, said: “You could see the delight and pride on the children’s faces as they showed off their new gear to their congregation.

“Having caught the interest of the children, the next step for us is to fund coaching, and take advantage of this great opportunity for them to have fun, while taking healthy exercise and learning a team sport.”

Mrs Ellis said football could also be used to teach children vital life skills.

She added: “Football also provides an ideal alternative for teenagers looking for somewhere to meet and something to do, away from the temptations of drugs and alcohol.

“Training drills include messages about the avoidance of HIV – in an area where the prevalence of the disease can be as high as 40 per cent, and where life expectancy has fallen to 46 years.

“The money raised so far means that Kidlington is able to fulfil its promise to deliver one football to each of 220 nominated areas – so the children can join in the fun of the World Cup.”

Mrs Ellis said the fund remained open.

She hoped more footballs would be delivered in May.

l The footballs cost £15 each. to support the project, call 01865 372709 or 01865 378014. Donations should be sent to Kidlington Parish Office, 19 Mill Street, Kidlington, OX5 2EE, with cheques made payable to Kidlington PCC.

Fund a Football should be marked on the envelope and the back of the cheque.