STAFF at an electricity company are showing the power of teamwork by donating football boots to African children.

UK Power Networks is supporting Boots2Africa, an initiative set up by dad Iain Finch in 2016.

Mark Hill, a safety trainer for UK Power Networks, is helping co-ordinate donations from colleagues in Colchester.

The Boots2Africa charity has established links with about 60 football clubs and is keen to raise awareness among businesses. Close to 4,000 boots have been donated so far.

Mr Hill, vice chairman of Heybridge Swifts Football Club’s youth section, said: “It was through my role at Heybridge Swifts that I was approached by the charity and after a great response there I took it on to securing donations at work, too.

“There has been a fantastic response from UK Power Networks staff and I am receiving new donations all the time now in terms of football kit and boots.

“Boots2Africa does a brilliant job in terms of getting these donations to the children and it’s really pleasing that we have been able to add to the great work they are doing across the region.”

Iain Finch said he was grateful for the support. He said: “I set up the charity a couple of years ago when I was clearing out my garage and found 38 pairs of boots discarded by my own two sons as they had grown out of them.

“Most of these had only had three to six months wear so had a lot of use left in them.

“I had seen pictures of African youngsters playing barefoot with a coconut. Now with our boots it’s safer and more hygienic for them play and develop their football and it’s amazing to see the difference people’s donations make.”