BUDDING footballers from Appleton AFC U15s are celebrating being awarded a grant for brand-new kits as part of Royal Mail’s Kits 4 Kids programme.
The team received the funding as part of the company’s drive to support employees’ local grassroots teams and help young people get active.
The team was nominated by Andrew Daniels, a Royal Mail postie whose brother Christian coaches the team. Andrew has been a postie for over three decades, and the brothers’ parents both worked for Royal Mail too.
Royal Mail’s Kits 4 Kids was launched in response to many requests from colleagues across the country who want to help their local youth sports teams by funding new kit. Royal Mail and Parcelforce employees were encouraged to nominate their local grassroots youth sports teams to receive grant funding. The programme has received thousands of nominations from employees and has supported over 670 teams so far.
Appleton AFC was established in 1974 and is one of the largest and most community-oriented football clubs in Cheshire. The club is proud to be 3 Star FA accredited, the highest level available. There are currently over 900 children (boys and girls, from U5s to U18s) registered as Appleton AFC players across 56 youth teams. The teams play in various leagues, including the Warrington Junior Football League, Cheshire Girls League, Cheshire Women’s & Youth Football League and the Inspire League. The U15s are currently looking for more players to expand the team.
Greg Sage, Royal Mail’s Deputy Director for Corporate Affairs and ESG, said: “Our 130,000 people are at the heart of their communities across the UK, and Royal Mail’s Kits 4 Kids gives colleagues the opportunity to show their support and help young people get active in their local area. Unwavering pride and passion, forging through all weathers, out in the community – grassroots sport has a lot in common with Royal Mail. This exciting new initiative brings the two together and we are delighted to be able to support Appleton AFC.”
Christian Daniels, Appleton AFC U15s Coach, said: “My brother encouraged us to apply for the Kits 4 Kids grant, and we were absolutely made up to receive the email saying we’d been successful! The kit has made such a difference to the lads, who now turn up every Saturday in their brand-new tracksuits. We were unbeaten in our last six matches of the season, and I’m sure that’s not a coincidence!”
