gap personnel and Macron sportswear send football equipment to kids in Zambia

Underprivileged children from a school in Zambia have benefited from the generosity of one of the UKs top industrial recruitment agencies and a national sportswear company.

Seb, Sam and Matt packing sports equipment at Macron

gap personnel, whose HQ is in Wrexham, teamed up with Macron (suppliers of the football kit and equipment to Welsh Premier League team gap Connah’s Quay Nomads), to provide sporting equipment and games for the children of Nakatindi, a small village in Southern Zambia.

Matt, Sam and Seb (at back) with children from Nakatindi Village School

The idea was initiated by Rebecca Dewhurst, wife of gap personnel CEO Gary Dewhurst, who, with their three sons Sebastian (13), Sam (10) and Matt (9) visited Zambia in April.

Rebecca said;

“it was a great team effort! I took the boys to Macron where, with Mike’s help, we packaged up footballs, tennis balls, skipping ropes and other educational sports equipment to be despatched to Zambia, prior to our arrival. Then the boys distributed the gifts themselves when we got there.”

Rebecca Dewhurst (arm round Head Teacher) with Seb, Sam and Matt, teachers and pupils from Nakatindi Village School

The Community School in Nakatindi supports approximately 744 village children, 50% of whom are orphans or vulnerable youngsters, and boasts a thriving football team.

The Head Teacher of the school was delighted to receive the sporting equipment especially the modified footballs designed to withstand heat, and organised a mini football tournament, in celebration, where Seb, Sam and Matt joined the squad of players on a pitch that had no grass, one goal post without a net and another fashioned from two twigs!

“The children from the village were so friendly”, added Rebecca “they wouldn’t leave our boys alone! My lasting memory is the image of my boys being surrounded by children – all holding hands.”

Rebecca Dewhurst (arm round Head Teacher) with Seb, Sam and Matt, teachers and pupils from Nakatindi Village School

Since returning from Zambia, gap personnel have sent a further donation to the Nakatindi football team to help pay for much needed goal posts and nets and to pay for transport costs so the team can compete in matches.