‘In My Shoes’ organisers hope to double donations
A Sligo based appeal that last year delivered 2,500 pairs of shoes to impoverished children in South African townships aims to double the achievement over the coming months.
Ciaran McHugh was in Khayelitsha, the largest township in Cape Town, in November 2018 on a work trip with his employers, White Calling. While there he visited a local school which had 1,500 pupils, all happily running around the yard during break in their uniforms.
Standing there watching them a number of thoughts struck him; firstly, that most of the children had no shoes on. Secondly, he could also visualise a box in the attic full of shoes which his kids had outgrown but were still in good condition.
Hence the ‘In My Shoes’ campaign was launched in January 2019. With the support of children, parents and teachers in 40 Sligo schools it succeeded in collecting and shipping the used football and sports boots to the poverty stricken kids.
Encouraged by the success of last year’s initiative and excited by the tremendous goodwill it was met with, Ciaran hopes to now collect 5,000 shoes.
Roland Rudd, vice principal of Wynberg Boys’ High School, one of the distributors of the shoes in Cape Town said of the 2019 campaign: “The donation of football boots made many children smile and brought joy to them through your acts of kindness”
This year the ‘In My Shoes’ appeal can take donations of boots from children, schools or sports clubs nationwide – thanks to generous sponsorship of the Parcel Motel delivery company.
The Sligo based appeal has teamed up with Clane United football club in Kildare who will run the In My Shoes campaign for them in their county.
Ciaran, a Ransboro native and Carney resident, is looking forward to the 2020 appeal: “I was amazed by the generosity of last year’s campaign. The support we received from schools, parents, students and teachers was tremendous.
“I set out to see if 500 pairs of pre-loved sports shoes could be collected in Sligo and shipped to the kids in the townships.
“A few months later 2,500 Sligo shoes were on the feet of South African children. Thanks to the fantastic support of Parcel Motel, this year’s campaign will be even bigger.
“We sort, pack and send the donated shoes to a number of charities we work with in South Africa, including The Gary Kirsten Foundation, where they are distributed to those who need them most in the townships”.
The appeal is looking for used football boots and runners/ trainers in good condition, for ages 4 to 16.
Shoes need to be clean (machine washed if possible), and leather football boots as clean as you can get them. They should be securely fastened together by laces or cable ties.
Children may also like to include a note with each pair of shoes to tell the kids in Cape Town a little bit about themselves and the sports they play - this was very much appreciated in the townships in the 2019 campaign
Participating schools will be accepting donations of shoes from Monday February 3rd to Friday 8th February 8th. A list of participating schools will be posted on the appeal’s website www.inmyshoes.ie over the coming weeks.
For Sligo shoe donations and general enquiries phone Ciaran on 086 8510 410 or email sligo@ inmyshoes.ie