Football-mad Lancaster boy collects boots and kit to help African kids play the sport he loves

Oliver Parr, who plays for Morecambe Hawks Under 8s and attends Morecambe FC Pre-Academy Under 8s, wanted to do something to help others during the summer lockdown.

When he heard about a charity called Boots2Africa - who collect sporting equipment for children and adults in Gambia - Oliver decided to get involved, and make it his goal to help the people involved.

Through sheer hard work and determination, Oliver went on to campaign and with the help of generous clubs and local people getting on board he managed to raise a huge donation of boots, kits, rain jackets and trainers, which have now been collected by the charity to be sent to Gambia to make a huge difference to many young people's lives.

Proud mum Kayleigh Holmes said: "He is a massive football lover and in lockdown wanted to do something useful with his time to help people less fortunate than himself.

"After speaking with the charity’s manager he came to understand most of these individuals don’t even have shoes to play in and this charity rely on individuals campaigning for them to gain donations to be sent over to help those less fortunate.

"After hearing this Oliver wanted to make a difference to their lives, so he set his mind while out of school with the pandemic to make it his goal to help these young people.

"[Oliver's donations] should arrive in Gambia around the beginning of January where they will be put to use by the children to help them also play the sport that they have a joint love for."