News Update – October 2026

Hi all,

October was another very busy month for KitAid and here are the latest totals and news.

Total items of kit donated in July –             14,154

Total items of kit donated so far in 2026  –  103,737

Total items of kit donated since 1998  –       1,335,774

Hatfield Boxing Up – Saturday 5 December

Thanks to those of you who have replied to the invitation email; we currently have 13 confirmed attendees.  We need at least 20 people to ensure the morning flows smoothly. If you are still to reply or would like to attend for the first time, please let me know.

As this session will be the final one of the year there will be a special Christmas raffle. All attendees’ names will be put into the hat and the lucky winners will receive a seasonal gift.

If you would like to bring a prize for the raffle it will be much appreciated and we will ensure you don’t take it home again!!

Ricky Road Run 2026

Mark and I attended the 42nd RRR on a bright but chilly Sunday morning. We had a KitAid gazebo exhibition along with the other three charities and spoke to some old friends.

The event has raised £27,000 this year and KitAid will receive 25% which is a fantastic donation. Many thanks and congratulations to the organising team from Affinity Water who are all recently appointed graduates.

Sponsored Match – 28 November, Leverstock Green v Hertford Town

Once again we have sponsored a match at KitAid Ambassador Club, Leverstock Green FC.

It is a fun afternoon as we get to choose the Man of the Match and present it to the player after the final whistle. Levy Green is a Step 4 non league club with some good young players who have a bright future.  It is a very friendly club run entirely by volunteers and we are always made very welcome.

I am aware that 6 people have confirmed they will be attending but the more the merrier.

Trustee Vacant Position

Following last month’s announcement that we are looking to recruit 3 new trustees over the next year, we have received two written and two verbal expressions of interest. Many thanks to those who have shown interest and we will speak to them all over the next couple of months.

If you, or anyone you know, is interested or would like to discuss the role, please let Mark, Ben or Thomas (existing trustees) know.

Safestore New Storage

We have started transferring kit from the containers to the fantastic new storage facility at Jarman Park, Hemel Hempstead.

A big thank you to Keith, Jeff, Bruce who helped load the PCS Courier van and then unload everything onto the top floor at Safestore. We have started by moving a lot of loose “lucky dip” boxes and bags which have been at the back of the containers for a long time. Over the next couple of months we can start sorting through them all and create properly sorted “lucky dip” bin bags which we can deliver to Hatfield for future boxing up sessions.

If you have a couple of hours to spare and would like to help in between boxing up sessions please let me know.  Also if anyone has fold away tables we can use it will save a lot of bending over and sorting at floor level.

A very big thank you to Tristan, RC for Sevenoaks, who arranged this for us with his friend at Safestore.

Big Syn International Film Festival 2026

Tonight, 6 November, the winners of each category will be announced at the Curzon Cinema in Leicester Square, London.

To be selected as a Charity Finalist is commendable. Congratulations to Ben for compiling the entry and narrating it. Click here or on the above image to view the video.

Positive Ending

We are grateful for your support, it means a great deal to us.

The kits will help us feel equipped, encouraged, and proud as the children continue to develop their football skills and participate in the game they all love.”

Shem Ochola

Kenya

The wonderful donation of tracksuits, shirts and sportswear will bring tremendous joy, encouragement and motivation to the children.

Your kindness is not merely a donation of kit, it is an investment in young lives, dreams and future champions.

Sam Fomba

Cameroon

Thanks everyone for helping and supporting KitAid to make feedback such as the above possible.

Have a safe, healthy and happy November.

Derrick