Hemel news caught up with local resident Derrick Williams MBE, the brains behind a local charity.
KitAid was set up in 1998 after Derrick visited Tanzania on a WaterAid supporters’ trip. This was the first step in his mission to spread his love of football across the globe through kit donations.
Derrick said: “Our saying has always been: ‘It’s more than just a shirt’, and that’s what we have been doing this year.
“Our first big highlight this year was working with Sir Mo Farah, who got stuck into one of our sorting sessions to send over kits to Somalia and Somaliland.
“We also worked with Alfie Watts, winner of this year’s Race Across the World, sending kits to Malaysia.”
The Watford FC fan explained that this year they have been branching into other sports and working with teams such as Premier League giants Manchester United, Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion (BHAFC).
They have also been supporting new projects, such as educating communities on the dangers of female genital mutilation and preventing the poaching of chimpanzees.
The team were even invited by Liverpool FC to attend a Legends’ match at Anfield back in 2023 to celebrate the charity’s 25th birthday, something Derrick describes as a “dream come true”.
Derrick was delighted to reveal that in 2024, more than 96,000 items had been donated, taking the total number up to a staggering 1,119,000 since its launch 26 years ago.
He continued: “Every year, it seems to get bigger and bigger. We want to maintain what we have achieved. I’m pleased to be getting more recognition from big sporting bodies. It’s really amazing!”
Find out more at www.kitaid.net
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