Boy collecting kits for children in Africa

An 11-year-old football fan is collecting kits for less fortunate kids in Uganda.

Lachlan's decision to start the campaign was inspired through work done by the Sustainable Economics Education Nutrition and Health (Seenah) project at his school.

DUBAI //A schoolboy is using his love of football to give dozens of East African children a sporting chance to be kitted out for the beautiful game.

Lachlan Macpherson, an 11-year-old pupil of the American School of Dubai (ASD), has launched a campaign to collect 100 football kits and boots to send to children at a primary school in Uganda.

"I love football, and when I heard about this school, I felt I had to do something to help other children who love football, but don't have the gear to play in," the Manchester United fan said.

Lachlan, a Canadian national who plays as a forward for the Biela Tigers and E-Sports teams in Dubai, has so far collected 25 kits, and is confident of hitting his target as part of the Kit Out Kids campaign.

Organisers of the campaign seek to collect the football gear for pupils at Masooli Primary School in Kampala, Uganda, and send them to the school around Christmas.

"I've donated my old Man United kit with Ronaldo on the back and I have friends who have donated their own unwanted kits," Lachlan said.

Lachlan's mum, Alison Macpherson, said: "We are so fortunate to live in a place like Dubai where children don't have to worry about being able to afford football boots or things like that.

"At this age, many of the kids grow out of their football kits and boots after a year and we just thought that it's such a waste that they should be given to people who need it."

Some of the kits collected so far are from some of the most famous clubs in Europe.

"Here, a child will get the latest Manchester United kit and have Rooney on his back, but then might move onto another team or favourite player," Mrs Macpherson said. "These kits are still usable because they are made from polyester and the quality is the same so instead of letting them go to waste, why not donate them?"

Lachlan's decision to start the campaign was inspired through work done by the Sustainable Economics Education Nutrition and Health (Seenah) project at his school.

Seenah teaches pupils about development projects in the Third World, and shows them how they can work with NGOs (non-governmental organisations) to help those who are less fortunate.

Cathy Leibman, the founder of Seenah, said Kit Out Kids organisers were working with the Nnabagereka Development Foundation in Uganda to help provide for children.

About 25 of ASD pupils travelled to the primary school earlier this year. They helped to improve access to water, and donated textbooks to the children.

"Sixty per cent of the children there live in poverty, and the school had no access to water," she said.

"The ASD pupils had brought some footballs with them and the local children loved it," she continued. "They played football together and I think it was a fantastic experience for everyone who went."

Although Lachlan did not go on the trip, he decided to help when he heard about the children in the primary school who needed kits, Ms Leibman said.

"I think what Lachlan has achieved so far has been fantastic and the support he's had from friends and family has been wonderful."

Most of the football shirt, shorts and boots have been donated directly to Lachlan, but the youngster plans to place a container at ASD on Sunday so more people can donate.

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