Games For Life Appeal Update

CHEP Update (Copperbelt Health and Education Programme in Zambia)

Following the recent appeal to QPR fans for football kits, in order for the
out of school youths to have suitable clothing to wear for matches in the
Games for Life Programme that are organised by CHEP voluntary workers, we're pleased to let everyone know who donated old shirts, boots etc that the consignment of goods arrived safe and sound at Zambia a few weeks ago.

A few days later groups of the youngsters took part in a match wearing some of the kits. Below is a letter from Dan Cashdan, who gave us details of their day/match.

Dear Tracy,

It was a huge amount of fun for me, as well as the players, who took an
immense pride in turning up wearing the hoops of QPR. Throughout the whole journey to Chingola (about an hour) the players were singing and clapping, generating a great atmosphere in the vehicle CHEP had provided for the occasion.

We got to the Watson Stadium around 09:00, already too hot for me to be running around (though I tried). It doesn't look much by (even) 2nd
Division standards, I'm sure, but was far above anything any of these lads had ever played on before. Results wise, things weren't too great - P4 W0 D2 L2 F1 A3 However, this was supposed to be an under-19's tournament, and we seemed to be the only team adhering to the rules - one of the opposition was at least 30! And we didn't get outclassed by anyone (sounds like AKUTR's book of excuses...). And we did score a good goal, resulting in a succession of acrobatic handstands by half the team!

So here are the photos of the team in action, having a great time. And it's
all thanks to you and those back home. Well done to everyone who made this possible.

In case you're wondering, they were playing with yellow socks as there
weren't any white ones, and their desire to have a "complete" strip more
than outweighed my reluctance to invent new QPR colour combinations! We didn't get many adult shorts in the last appeal - only one or two, mostly they were for juniors (which will be great for them, incidentally) - so if there's another appeal, maybe this could be mentioned!

Anyway, that's all for now. Hope you like the pictures.

Dan

A great tale with some truly inspirational photos which we hope will also be printed in one of the forthcoming matchday programmes for the benefit of all those who donated who do not have internet access. Again, huge thanks to everyone who so kindly donated old kits and also to QPR fan, Chris Leach, for his help in the financing of the consignment to be flown to Africa. Dermot McDermott, another fellow fan who helped immensely with the last appeal and myself will be working on another appeal shortly.

We are also very excited to bring some news of a possible North/South School exchange between a school in Zambia and one over here, which has a QPR connection. The idea is that a teacher from a school in Zambia will come over here for a week to swap ideas on health issues and then vice versa with a teacher from here going over there for a week. A QPR fan, and QPR 1st member contacted us about the possibility of such a project and has since been working hard on bringing this about. More info to follow in the next update.

If you are interested in participating on the QPR 1st Community group, on any issue whatsoever, then please contact me either on our email address info@qpr1st.co.uk or ring me on 07752 521712.

Tracy
Community group QPR 1st.