Strip donation puts teams on right track

YOUNGSTERS at a Leith-based football club are kicking off the new season in style thanks to a funding boost.

Leith Athletic under-13s Colts received the kit from FirstGroup.

The club, which has 18 teams, with players’ ages ranging from five to under-21s, relies on fundraising events and donations from local businesses to pay for equipment and facilities.

FirstGroup made the £350 donation after under-13s assistant coach Iain Miller applied for funding.

Iain, a mechanical fitter with FirstGroup subsidiary ScotRail, based at Haymarket depot, said: “Playing in new kits rather than second-hand ones will hopefully give them a confidence boost.

“We’re planning some more fundraising events and the donation has got us off to a great start.”

The funds will go towards new equipment, entrance fees for cup competitions and the hire of Ainslie Park Leisure Centre, where the boys train during the winter months.