FOLLOWING their dismissal from the World Cup, England's squad are being sent not to Coventry but to Tanzania.
The likes of Beckham, Owen and Ferdinand will soon be inspiring their young fans in villages in Tanzania thanks to a joint initiative by Three Valleys Water and Sainsbury's in Harpenden.
The water company asked the store if Sainsbury's would donate England team cardboard cutouts featured in the chain nationally during the tournament to football-mad youngsters in Tanzania. Despite being inundated with requests for the figures, the group is earmarking some for the youngsters.
Three Valleys is already involved in the KitAid appeal collecting unwanted football shirts to send to children in Tanzanian villages. When he saw the cutouts, appeal manager Derrick Williams knew the young players would love them.
"I visited Tanzania a few years ago to see some of the WaterAid projects we have supported and I was touched by the village children's enthusiasm for football despite their lack of equipment and clothing," he said.
When he returned he started collecting unwanted kit to send out alongside WaterAid tools and equipment and so far KitAid has sent 15 boxes of shirts, full kit and footballs. Mr Williams says more are wanted, especially kits in children's sizes; they can be left at Sainsbury's in Harpenden or sent to him at Three Valleys Water in Bishops Rise, Hatfield.
June 25, 2002 11:30
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