A number of months ago, St Mirren Football Club donated football strips to the charity 'Sukhita Child' in order to support football clubs in Sri Lanka who are unable to afford any kit to play their sport.

St Mirren General Manager, Brain Caldwell received a letter this week from 'Sukhita Child' advising him that one of their charity trustees, Dr David Willox, spent some time in Sri Lanka during March this year. As a result he was able to donate two full St Mirren football strips to Mr Sepala Perera, Vice President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka.

Mrs Morag Willox presenting a strip to a player. (Sukhita Child - Kalutara Park Football Club - March 2009)

In the pictures included with this article you can see both the adult and youth strips bring presented by David direct to the players of the adult team, Kalutara Park Football Club. The team plays in the Football League, which covers the Southern district of Sri Lanka, an area savaged by the 2004 Tsunami. The team are the current league champions and cup holders.

The youth strips were presented to the children of Kalutara primary school and were gratefully received.

Kalutara Park football team wearing their new St Mirren strips. (Sukhita Child - Kalutara Park Football Club - March 2009)

The President, Mr Manilo Fernando, and Vice President (Mr Sepala Perera) of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka were deeply and genuinely appreciative of the support given by St Mirren. They were so delighted at receiving the strips, they held a reception ceremony at Kalutara Football Park in order that the players were all individually presented.

On speaking with Dr Willox, Mr Perera explained "Many of our teams struggle to source football strips because we have no funds to support them. Because of the help from Scotland's St Mirren Football Club, we now have two teams in the Kalutara League playing in excellent strips. We are all indebted for your support in making this all possible. Thank you St. Mirren."

Dr David Willox presenting a strip to a young player. (Sukhita Child - Kalutara Park Football Club - March 2009)

Brian Caldwell said of the news, "We here at St Mirren Football Club are very proactive at working within our own community so it is good to have an oppotunity to spread that goodwill a bit further afield.

"It is really pleasing that we have been able to help out Kalutara Park Football Club's teams and we wish them ongoing success both on and off the field.

"It has been a great experience being involved with the charity 'Sukhita Child' and we will certainly be looking to continue that association in the future."

Kalutara Park football team youth side. (Sukhita Child - Kalutara Park Football Club - March 2009)

 

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