IRVINESTOWN Wanderers may soon have a fan club in Africa now that kids there are proudly wearing their colours.
Two years ago, former Tummery Athletic footballer, Marty Hughes, travelled over to Senegal as part of the ‘Ambassadors Football Club’ project to establish a Youth Academy, which would act as an essential hub for the poverty-stricken children of the area.
He has continued the good work since then and raised a lot of money to help build sporting facilities for the local kids to improve their soccer skills in the African country.
Local teams have also donated kits for the Senegalese children, with the Wanderers being the latest to show their support.
“What a great photo!” Irvinestown Wanderers posted on their Facebook page.
“Last month, club members donated some football kits to former Tummery player Marty ‘Doc’ Hughes, who is out on a missionary visit to Senegal at the moment.
“Marty has very kindly sent us this lovely photo of some of the kids in our club colours.
“The big smiles say it all. Well done to Marty for the work he is doing out in Senegal.”
Marty said it was a ‘no brainer’ for him to go to the African country as it combined two of his passions.
“I love football and I love helping people. We basically went out there to spread awareness about the project and to coach the kids out there,” he explained to the Herald previously.
“It’s great just seeing the wee kids enjoying themselves.
“Even if you’re walking past and you give them a bag of sweets or a can of coke, they share it amongst themselves, there’s no greed. Even if you’re just high-fiving them, they are always smiling and happy to see people.”
You can donate to the ‘Ambassadors Football Club’ by contacting: https://gb.ambassadorsfootball.org/get-involved/donate/.
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