STAFF at a Lympstone pub are appealing for football fans to donate any unwanted replica shirts so they can be taken to disadvantaged children in South Africa. The Nutwell Lodge, on Exmouth Road, wants people to dig out any unwanted football shirts as par

STAFF at a Lympstone pub are appealing for football fans to donate any unwanted replica shirts so they can be taken to disadvantaged children in South Africa.

The Nutwell Lodge, on Exmouth Road, wants people to dig out any unwanted football shirts as part of a charity campaign called Project Fair Play.

The footie-focused initiative aims to be a high scorer for disadvantaged children in South Africa, where the 2010 World Cup will be held, and the UK, by providing them with fantastic football facilities.

Any shirts handed in at the pub will be donated to youngsters at the Ukhanyo School in Masiphumelele, South Africa.

General manager, Val Noble, said: "Knowing how much our customers love their football, we're sure there's going to be no shortage of old shirts coming out of the closet for the Shirt Amnesty!

"Project Fair Play is set to make this year's World Cup even more special for everyone at the pub, as we enjoy the on-pitch excitement knowing that we're helping to make football a fantastic experience for youngsters here and in South Africa too."

The Nutwell Lodge also wants to raise enough cash to build a new sports ground at the South African school through the Happy Africa Foundation and kit it out with new 'Alive and Kicking' footballs, so children are ready for kick off.

Despite the World Cup being held in South Africa, millions of children there have never played football, or 'diski' as they colloquially call it, with a real ball.

The specially created 'Alive and Kicking' balls are tough, repairable footballs made specifically for use on African terrain. Each ball carries an important message about HIV, Aids and malaria.