Operation Clarets 4 SA  

The Clarets Trust is pleased to announce its latest Community project, and we are sure you will agree that it is one well worth supporting.

The Trust hopes to collect as many old Burnley kits as possible, and send them to needy people in South Africa.

“Operation Clarets 4 SA” will start on Friday 10th March, and will run until Sunday 30th April.

The main club involved with this project is in the Nelspruit CBD, which has players from all different townships around Nelspruit.  They were founded in 2000 under the name Nelspruit Young Lions and their executive committee was a key role-player in the establishment of the Mbombela Metro League.

“Putting the Clarets into the Rainbow Nation.”

They do assist other clubs with administration and coaching support to ensure the continued success of their league.  The league has the blessing of the Mbombela Town council as well as SAF (The South African FA.) 

Unfortunately, none of the clubs are getting any financial support from any formal structure and have to rely on the selfless contribution of people such as us. 

Antony Arendse, of Nelspruit CD, says “I can assure you that should you be in a position to provide us with these kits, we will be able to utilise them in a very feasible way for all clubs in the league. The requirements we have is in the form of training and playing equipment, nets, balls, referees kits, boots for the underprivileged which is always a need, and maintenance of playing fields.”

The kit can be dropped off at the reception in the admin block at Turf Moor, Monday to Saturday 09.00-17.00, or at the BFC Leisure Centre: 09.00-23.00 Monday to Friday; 09.00-18.00 Saturday and Sunday.

If you are dropping kit off, can you leave it in a carrier bag or bin bag with your name and contact details, as all donations will recieve a signed letter of thanks from the Trust.

If anyone has things such as nets spare, please contact community@claretstrust.co.uk directly for us to arrange collection.

Everyone - the Trust steering group included - will have some old Burnley kit that is not needed (or in the case of Trust Community Officer Martin Barnes, has become a little too tight for comfort!)

As mentioned above, the Club has very kindly agreed to provide 2 collection points for the kit, which will be open throughout the week, including match days.

Trust Chairman Peter Pike will be using his contacts to arrange sending the shirts out to South Africa once the exact quantities are known.

This appeal has the support of:

The Clarets Trust, Burnley Football Club, Nelson Poultry Club Clarets, Barrowford Clarets, Rossendale Clarets, CISA, Central Lancs. Clarets, Ulster Clarets, Earby Clarets, South West Clarets, London Clarets, Boundary Clarets, Shooters Clarets, Colne Clarets, When The Ball Moves… fanzine, www.thelongside.co.uk, www.uptheclarets.com and www.burnley.vitalfootball.co.uk.