After our most successful year in 2019, when 86,445 items of kit were donated across the developing world, the new decade has started well. At our first boxing up session of 2020, 4,900 items of kit were sorted and boxed by our team of wonderful volunteers.

We were also helped by the Watford FC Community Trust loaning us the use of their minibus to transport kit from our container in Hemel Hempstead to Hatfield. Many thanks to them and to Barry, our volunteer driver. A big thank you also to our wonderful couriers, PCS Logistics Ltd, who delivered five pallets of Cardiff City kit to the session.

The boxing up sessions work like clockwork thanks to the volunteers who get through a mountain of kit in 3 hours. If you would like volunteer and help out at a session please email kitaidcharity@gmail.com.

Here’s to reaching 1Million items by 2024!

KitAid is delighted to announce that singer/songwriter, actress and model, Mary HD, has accepted our invitation to become the charity’s first Ambassador.

Since the Trustees agreed not to replace the role of Patron, in honour of Graham Taylor OBE, we have decided to invite a select number of Ambassadors, who we feel represent the ethos, vision and values of KitAid.

About Mary HD
Mary HD started her career at the age of 15 as a fashion model, which led to her appearing in major campaigns and magazines, including Marie Claire, Elle, and Cosmopolitan, as well as travelling throughout Europe for photo shoots. However, her main passion has always been music, as a singer/songwriter. This has involved working with musicians and record producers whose back catalogue includes artists such as George Michael (RIP), James Brown (RIP), Kylie Minogue and Tina Turner. Mary has performed across Europe and has a following in America, following the release of a number of singles and the highly acclaimed debut album “Resolute”. Her latest single releases in April 2019, include I Am The War and North Star, taken from her equally successful album Pure Love, covering a theme of overcoming, resilience, faith over fear and believing in one’s visions. Further releases from this album are to follow.

Charity Work
Mary is an avid charity worker, supporting a number of key issues which are all close to her heart. She became the first Patron of the John Bury Trust and S.E.E.D (Support and Education for Eating disorders) and she was invited by the Prince’s Trust to work on a project entitled “Dreams”. Mary wrote the music for this, and also coached 10 girls between the ages of 16-25, to assist with confidence and to help raise their self-esteem. The girls performed alongside Mary HD for HRH Prince Charles at Turf Moor stadium, Burnley. Mary also released a charity single “Malaria No More”, orchestrated a campaign “The Mary HD Send a Heart Campaign” which was sponsored by John Lewis in Partnership and received support from well- known celebrities including Tinchy Stryder, Amir King Khan and Sajid Mahmood among others. The campaign raised funds for the special baby care charity Bliss. In recognition of her support of the Prince’s Trust and for her charity work Mary was invited to Buckingham Palace.

“We are both delighted and excited that Mary HD has accepted our invitation to become an Ambassador for KitAid. She reaches out to a new audience who otherwise may not get to hear about our work. She also represents a lot of girls and women who will aspire to her values and she can act as a “mentor in kind” to the many young women we support through our work across the developing world. We look forward to working with Mary and to introducing her to the projects KitAid supports.” — Derrick Williams MBE, KitAid

‘’It is a distinct honour to be invited as Ambassador for KitAid, an immense dream come true and I am very excited to be able to highlight KitAids incredible work that they do providing hope, joy, breaking down barriers and making a difference. Through my own personal experiences and those of my mothers, I am a huge advocate of female empowerment and I am delighted to accept my position with KitAid. It is the love that is shared, which builds the bridge towards a better world and future for all of humanity. I look very forward to support and commence my work with KitAids projects” — Mary HD

For further information about Mary HD please see: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Photo credit: Greg Couzens

Calling all (fit) runners to enter the scenic 10 Mile Ricky Road Run, through the beautiful lanes of Chorleywood, Little Chalfont and Rickmansworth.

This event is close to our hearts as it was co-founded in 1984 by KitAid’s founder, Derrick Williams MBE. We also receive a donation every year from the run which is key to helping us meet our annual expenses.

If you like running this is a first class race, with friendly marshals and a very well organised event. For race details please log on to www.rickyroadrun.co.uk.

We were are grateful to Affinity Water and their fantastic staff for choosing KitAid as their charity of the month for August.

Staff donated an amazing £529 through bucket collections and a giant raffle in just one day. Affinity Water have agreed to match the amount donated, resulting in a tremendous total amount of £1,058. A lot of work went in to the day and we are also grateful to the organising team of Pete Dommett, Sharon Hammond, Elaine Nottage, Niel Johnstone and Sean McGuigan.

Affinity Water have supported KitAid throughout our 21 year history with use of facilities and storage space, which are both invaluable to the success of our charity. Many of their staff volunteer for us as well.

Thank You Affinity Water.