Everton fans will this weekend have another chance to donate unwanted football boots to needy children across Merseyside and beyond.
A ‘boot drop’ in aid of charityboots.com, held at Goodison ahead of the recent Aston Villa game, proved a hit with supporters, who donated around 50 pairs of boots.
These were generously donated by the charity to the Unity Youth Centre, based in Toxteth.
And the dedicated drop-off container will again be in place in front of the Dixie Dean gates on Goodison Road this Saturday, ahead of the FA Cup tie against Brentford.
Charityboots.com are working with Blues defender Yerry Mina, who has previously shipped unwanted boots to underprivileged children to the player’s foundation in his native Colombia.
Mina and his Blues’ team-mate Richarlison started the initial collection from Everton at Finch Farm last month, where a dedicated drop-off bin remains in place for players and staff to contribute to the appeal.
Neil Smith, founder of Charityboots.org, added: “The support from Everton fans at the Aston Villa game was a great success.
“We saw people of all ages coming to drop off used boots, and the best part is that we were able to donate these boots directly back into the community to a youth club in Toxteth.
“We’re looking forward to meeting supporters again this weekend and helping to provide more football boots to kids in local areas.
"We change the inner soles, change the laces, give the boots a deep clean and bring them back to life.
“It’s a full circle, but the real concept is to close the gap of poverty and, from an environmental point of view, to reduce waste.
“It’s all self-funded and it’s got so much value. We’re trying to make an impact in communities where it’s needed and unfortunately, there’s a lot of people out there, especially after Covid, who can’t afford boots.
“We’re trying to close that gap between the ones that have and the ones that don’t have, so we’re fully behind this and with the support and love from Everton fans and club, hopefully we can make a big difference.
“Every boot will be reused for a good cause, either recycled or donated to a kid who needs them."
