Hi all.
I hope you are all enjoying the festive break and are looking forward to a joyous Christmas with your loved ones.
2025 has been another brilliant year for KitAid thanks to everyone’s support and hard work and here are the year end totals
Total items of kit donated in 2025 – 106,081
Total items of kit donated since 1998 – 1,232,027
This is the first year we have donated more than 100k items for some time and we are on track to reach the next milestone of 1,250,000 items by April 2026.
Boxing Up – To start 2026
A provisional date has been set for Saturday 24 January and once things have been confirmed with Affinity Water I will send out the invitation to everyone. If you could mark this date in your new diary it would be appreciated.
In terms of boxing up sessions I would like to say a big thank you to Jeff who visits the storeroom at Hatfield every fortnight to tidy things up and to take home packages, of which there are many, to open and send Thank You certificates. This is really important as it avoids the room getting unmanageable. Thanks also to the two Steve’s at Affinity Water who take in all of the deliveries for KitAid.
Harry Mnisi Foundation Sports Day – 13 December.
KitAid was one of the sponsors for this event in Acornhoek, South Africa as we donated £1,000 towards the expenses.
700 people took part in a multitude of sports with ages ranging for toddlers to the Grannies football teams. We have built a strong relationship with the HMF and Ben is looking to visit them next year to train their coaches to a professional standard.
We also sponsored the Belfast Ballysillan Football Camp in July with a donation of £1,000 and the Bulindi Chimpanzee Protection tournament in Uganda with a donation of £500. When you consider our total annual income is less than £20k it is a considerable achievement to support other charities on such a small income.
Smiley Charity Film Awards – We need your Votes!
If you haven’t already done so PLEASE vote for KitAid by clicking HERE.
The only way we can get shortlisted is through external voting so please do take the time to register and vote and also share with your friends/family/network!
Ben does a fantastic job producing all of the weekly Film Friday’s and HERE IS THE LINK to a brilliant film which captures the highlights of 2025.
Positive End Quote
2025 has been another great year with so many highs and a few challenges that we as a team have overcome. As an entirely volunteer run charity what we have achieved is amazing and I am incredibly proud that we continue to operate in a way which our former Patron, Graham Taylor OBE, would be proud of.
KitAid is a wonderful team and I am honoured to orchestrate activities, along with our Trustees, into our 28th year.
Here is a final quote from one of our recipients.
Your support has made a tremendous difference to our players many of whom previously had to share or play in worn out equipment. The new kits have not only boosted their confidence on the field but have also strengthened the team’s sense of unity and pride. Our players were over the moon when they received them, and the smiles on their faces said it all!
We have attached some photos so you can see the team wearing the new kits and celebrating this wonderful gift. We hope these images give you a sense of how much your kindness means to us.
Thank you once again for investing in our club and in the future of young footballers in our community. Your generosity will have a lasting impact on our ability to play, compete, and grow as a team.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND VERY BEST WISHES FOR A FULFILLING AND HEALTHY 2026
Derrick
