Organised by Balls and BootsEvery child in Scotland deserves the chance to play football. Our mission is to ensure there are no barriers for those in poverty/disadvantaged or isolated by providing brand new footwear/kit and free coaching to allow them to participate.
A recent report by Sported Highlights the need for the correct kit to allow children to take part in sport. Giving them confidence and a sense of self worth:
https://sported.org.uk/research-into-kit-grassroots-sports/
BallsandBoots was founded five years ago to help all children take part in sport, in particular football. One in four children in Scotland live in poverty. Families in poverty have no funds or means to buy the items needed or pay the fees required for their children to take part. Those living in care and those newly arrived to the country have very little access to the correct kit or qualified coaching. Every item we give to a child is brand new, they are the first owners which gives them a greater sense of self worth. Football is the greatest sport for helping children integrate, be it to a new community or country. It improves physical and mental well being, boosts confidence and gives a sense of structure. No child in Scotland should be denied this. Our purpose is to remove all barriers for the children to play the game. Without our support children are left excluded, lonely and feel worthless because they cannot get involved in playing. It might just be that they need some kit to play in the park with their pals or they want to play in a team and have no boots. At school they feel degraded because they either have old kit or none at all, even for PE. Balls&Boots works every day to change this. Over the last five years we have supported over 500 children to get involved. We have helped schools start teams, and provided free coaching for groups and individuals. We help with supplying new footballs and goalkeeping gloves. We do everything we can to allow our children to participate, engage, be inspired and have fun.
Like any charity we rely on grants and donations. The economic climate in Scotland makes it increasingly difficult to raise money to help children most in need of our support. This is our first time on Just Giving and we hope that as many people as possible will support us, not only with one-off donations for this Summer 2025 Campaign, but support us on an ongoing basis by signing up for a monthly donation to protect our future.
Every penny is spent carefully and wisely. Our running costs are kept to a minimum, however, we do also have storage rent, insurance and salary costs to be covered. Any donation you can provide will be hugely appreciated and make a real difference to a child's life. Our aim over the next few years is to expand further throughout Scotland. If funds are available, we also plan to put 4 young people each year on a pathway to employment by helping them gain vital coaching qualifications.
Imagine being that child stuck on the sidelines watching others play, whilst they cannot due to poverty or disadvantage and how their lives could be transformed through your donation.
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