Sierra Leone’s street orphans will be given sets of training equipment thanks to Martin Humphries, manager of Brinklow Girls under-13 football team in Warwickshire.
Mr Humphries is donating both new and used football kits, boots, bags of footballs, training nets and posts to St Joseph’s College sixth-form students who will leave for their sixth visit to West Africa on February 10.
Mr Humphries learned of the school’s continuing missionary work in Sierra Leone while managing the design of the new £4 million sports hall and music block at the Catholic high school in Trent Vale, Staffordshire, for Balfour Beatty.
He said: “Talking to the head teacher, Roisin Maguire, and the assistant head teacher, Peter Mayland, I was touched by the work St Joseph’s College is involved in out there and just how little those children have.
“I am proud to manage a small local football team so I used my contacts within the local football community to come up with a package of kits and equipment that we hope will put a smile on the faces of the children who, after all, are the same age as my own children.”
Jane Hammond, head girl at St Joseph’s College, said: “I am in Brother Kerrigan House, named after our former teacher Brother Edward Senan Kerrigan, who was shot dead by rebel forces on April 10 1995 in Sierra Leone during the brutal civil war. So the fate of Sierra Leone is very much at the forefront of my mind and I am looking forward to seeing what life is like in the developing world and what we in First World should be doing to alleviate their problems.”
Head boy Ben Cornwell said: “We will all be teaching some of the children and as science is my favourite subject I have been preparing some science lessons.”
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.