Cricket appeal gives Kenya kids sporting chance
CHILDREN in one of the most deprived areas of Kenya will be able to start their own cricket team thanks to a charity appeal by a Preston law firm.
Youngsters in Kibera, a slum in the East African country’s capital, Nairobi, will also benefit from a container full of other sporting equipment thanks to the Kricket 4 Kenya appeal, organised by MWR Solicitors, based in Cannon Street.
MWR launched the appeal two years ago, encouraging sporting clubs and members of the public to donate unwanted or old sporting equipment.
The campaign has been so successful the ever-growing mass of bats, balls, stumps and other sports kit has been held in storage for two years by Preston–based storage specialist, Stor-It, while items continued to be donated.
Now the appeal has finally closed, the equipment is due to be dispatched to Kenya thanks to a tie–up with Feed the Children UK, a charity that provides aid to children suffering the effects of poverty, especially those who have been orphaned or abandoned.
Jane Booker, partner at MWR Solicitors, said: “We are delighted this sports equipment, kindly donated by people around the country, will now be delivered to Kenya where it will provide under-privileged youngsters with a much needed sporting outlet.
“Many people came together to make this project possible and now the appeal is complete, I would like to thank all those who made Kricket 4 Kenya a success.”
Kenya is one of the world’s poorest nations, witnessing widespread drought in 2006. Disputed elections in December 2007 also led to massive unrest with warring tribes pushing the country to the brink of civil war before a coalition government was agreed.
Brian Main, of Feed the Children UK, said: “The sporting and cricket equipment will join toiletries, education materials, clothes and medication on our container.
“It will take about six to eight weeks to get to Kenya, where we will most likely distribute it to schools in Kibera, meaning they will be able to start their own cricket team.
“Kibera is the largest unplanned settlement in East Africa and is home to 300,000 children, a third of whom are orphaned. The people in Kibera have few clothes and live in mud huts that have no sanitation, no electricity, and no clean drinking water.
“We are very thankful to MWR Solicitors for organising this appeal. This sports equipment will mean so much to these youngsters because there is no way their schools can purchase it on their own.”
Stor-it, which provides commercial and private storage solutions, donated 300 sq ft of free storage space for the appeal. The appeal was also backed by the Friends of Kenya Cricket and the Kenya Cricket Association.
