Thousands of pre-loved football boots from across Aberdeen rehomed

Restored football boots have being provided to the children that need them most to help provide opportunities for the next generation of players in Aberdeen and Dundee.

Cleaning company Cif's Re-Kicks initiative is in full swing, with their successful collection period seeing over 750 pairs of boots donated by football fanatics across the nation.

The restored kicks are now being re-distributed amongst young people at Aberdeen FC Community Trust and Dundee United Community Trust.

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Cif’s mission is to inspire on-pitch confidence in young people by providing them with the right kit, after research from the brand Sported, a UK-based charity championing the importance of community sports.

It revealed that 84% of Sported’s grassroot groups find young players are less likely to participate in sports because they don’t have the right kit.

The success of the project so far has made this a reality, with hundreds of boots already finding new homes, putting smiles on the faces of young players and giving them the stepping stone they might have never received.

Wearing the right gear impacts young players’ confidence as they feel the need to ‘fit in’ with their teammates.

Alice Frankel from The Dalgarno Trust, one of Sported’s group leaders revealed: "Without the right kit, children feel intimidated to join in, embarrassed in front of peers and less likely to play as they will not be able to perform as they wish to."

The increasingly large price tag attached to sportswear can create an obstacle for hopeful players, particularly as children are constantly out-growing clothes and shoes.

A staggering 98% of groups revealed that the cost of specialised footwear, such as football boots, is a cost-of-living challenge for families.

Lisa Croll Head of Operations at Dundee United Community Trust said: "We work with many charities, schools and sports clubs across the city and find that some children don’t quite have all the right kit to get fully involved.

"We’re really pleased to be involved in the Re-Kicks initiative with Cif, to help not only the young people in our community here in Dundee, but those across the UK to get on the pitch."