We're still collecting donations
On the 19th December 2023 we'd raised £190 with 9 supporters in 49 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
Kitmas '23: the gift of football
by Kitmas in Stroud, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Total raised £250
raised so far11
supportersKitmas brightens the Christmas of many children in the UK, distributing football shirts to kids who may not otherwise receive presents.
by Kitmas in Stroud, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Kitmas hopes to brighten the Christmas of many children in the UK, distributing football shirts to kids who may not otherwise receive presents this year.
Sadly more families than ever before will struggle to afford gifts this Christmas due to increased financial worries caused by the cost of living crisis and the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Any football fan has childhood memories of the joy and excitement of pulling on a new kit, and Kitmas aims to spread that happiness around the country.
This year there are three ways you can take part.
Three ways to get involved
There are three ways you can help brighten a child’s Christmas with a new football shirt this year.
1. DONATE MONEY
100% of donations will be used to buy new shirts that can be given to children on Christmas Day. The more money we can collect, the more shirts we can buy.
2. CREATE A KITMAS AT YOUR CLUB
This year we are inviting football fans clubs, supporters groups and community organisations to create their own version of Kitmas through Crowdfunder. It's so simple to get started and will only a few minutes to get up and running. You will need to buy and distribute your club's shirts in your community this Christmas. Contact us with any questions you have.
3. DONATE A SHIRT
Around the country hundreds of pre-loved football shirts will be sitting in cupboards and wardrobes once children have grown out of them. Kitmas will accept any football shirt in very good to 'like new' condition, just send them to us: Kitmas Appeal, PO Box 481, Stroud GL6 1NZ.
Who are we?
Kitmas was founded by football coach and activist Paul Watson and his wife Lizzie, with support from stand up comedians Vix Leyton and Mark Watson (Paul's brother).
Our goal is to run this appeal every year and eventually to become a registered charity. Since we started in 2020, the campaign has raised £75,000 and distributed 5,000 shirts to young football fans with the help of Bristol City, Forest Green Rovers, Cheltenham Town, Exeter City and Frome Town.
This year though we want to make an even bigger impact, and that's where you come in! Thank you for your support, and Merry Kitmas!
This year our Canadian friends the Soccer Snobs are also running their own Kitmas campaign – check it out!
What we want to achieve
Our goal is to run this appeal every year, and eventually to become a registered charity. Last year alone we gifted more than 2,000 shirts to young football fans, but this year we want to make an even bigger impact, and that's where you come in!
Thank you for your support, and Merry Kitmas!
In the press
Kitmas was featured heavily in the press last year. Here is a selection of the coverage we received.
Belfast Telegraph: Football fans donate kit for disadvantaged kids’ Christmas presents
Sky News: Fans urged to donate football kits to make Christmas special for disadvantaged children
The Independent: Football fans donate kit for disadvantaged kids’ Christmas presents
Evening Standard: Football fans donate kit for disadvantaged kids’ Christmas presents
Stroud News & Journal: Paul Watson to bring joy to thousands of kids at Christmas
Frome Town: Kitmas is here. Time to do something amazing...
From 2020:
Football Supporters Association (FSA): Kitmas: Fans help make a difference this month
BBC News: 'Kitmas' launched to gift football shirts to children this Christmas
Big Issue: Comedian Mark Watson is planning a ‘Kitmas’ for kids in poverty
The Mirror: Heartwarming new campaign to get children their first football kit for Christmas
Big Issue: Big Issue Changemakers 2021: Poverty prevention
Gloucestershire Live: The football fan with a goal to give disadvantaged kids a Christmas to remember
Rewards
This project offered rewards
£50 or more
TWO SHIRTS TO KITMAS
Donate two shirts to Kitmas. We will use your generous donation to purchase a couple of football shirts for a gift for two young supporters in the community this Christmas. *We are estimating the cost of one shirt, based on our average purchasing power during Kitmas.
£25 or more
ONE SHIRT TO KITMAS*
Donate one shirt to Kitmas. We will use your generous donation to purchase a football shirt for a gift to one young supporter in the community this Christmas. *We are estimating the cost of shirt, based on our purchasing power during Kitmas.
£100 or more
FOUR SHIRTS TO KITMAS
Donate four shirts to Kitmas. We will use your generous donation to purchase four football shirts to gift to four young supporters in the community this Christmas. *We are estimating the cost of one shirt, based on our average purchasing power during Kitmas.
£275 or more
11 SHIRTS TO KITMAS
Donate 11 shirts to Kitmas. We will use your generous donation to purchase 11 football shirts to gift to four young supporters in the community this Christmas. *We are estimating the cost of one shirt, based on our average purchasing power during Kitmas.
£1,000 or more
40 SHIRTS TO KITMAS
Donate 40 shirts to Kitmas. We will use your generous donation to purchase 40 football shirts to gift to four young supporters in the community this Christmas. *We are estimating the cost of one shirt, based on our average purchasing power during Kitmas.