Local children received an extra special festive surprise recently, as part of the national Kitmas campaign.
Kitmas was founded in 2020 by former semi-professional footballer Paul Watson alongside Lizzie Watson, supported by comedians Vix Leyton and Mark Watson. Since then, they have gone on to deliver more than 3,000 kits to children across the UK, with the campaign seeing kits donated to grassroots community groups and kids across the country who might not otherwise get a Christmas present this year.
As part of this campaign, Torbay’s Children’s Services joined forces with Torquay United Supporters Trust to donate over 20 TUAFC home and away shirts to children at the Turning Heads community centre in Hele, to provide children aged 8-14 with an early – an extra special – Christmas present!
Turning Heads works with adults and children from across the Torbay community in order to support their needs and help build a community that values and empowers togetherness.
With the children proudly wearing their local team’s colours, Turning Heads CEO Alan Tilley was pleased to see so many happy faces ahead of what can sometimes be a challenging festive period.
“TUST has made a lot of kids very happy. The shirts were a wonderful gift idea,”said Alan.
TUST chairman Nick Brodrick, who handed over the shirts to the children with vice-chairman Robin Causley, paid tribute to staff at Torbay Children’s Services and Torquay United AFC for assisting with the project.
“I’m very grateful to Sarah Pengelly at Torbay Children’s Services for her support, and to Lorraine in the TUAFC Club Shop for organising the shirts,” said Nick.
“It was all so worthwhile to see so many happy faces in time to spread some Christmas cheer.”
Photos provided with consent by Alan Tilley (Turning Heads)