A FORMER top Pembrokeshire League footballer who is now a qualified referee, Bernie Armstrong, is kindly offering football kit to poor children in slum areas in Kenya.

In his playing days, Armstrong regularly banged in goals for fun with local teams such as Hakin United, Fishguard Sports, Lamphey, Merlins Bridge and Goodwick United – and confesses to winning his fair share of silverware during that period.

This week Armstrong and his family are flying to Nairobi on holiday, but before embarking on his Kenyan adventure, he approached Haverfordwest County AFC and asked whether they could help by giving some old unwanted kit, which he has promised to hand over to the needy in Kenya.

Armstrong asked Steve Barry, Haverfordwest County Development Coach, if his club could help with his plea?

“They have nothing, and our children take it for granted,” said Armstrong. “I have relatives working and living in Kenya and they tell me the villagers love playing football but don’t have any kit.

“So I asked Steve if the club had any unwanted kit, and guess what? They came up trumps.”

Bernie travels with his family for a two-week break and is looking forward to surprising their communities when he will hand over the goods.

“Can’t wait to see their faces when I give them some kit, they’ll probably believe that all their Christmas’ have come at once.”

Armstrong has also received a full referees’ kit donated by the Pembrokeshire Football Referees’ Society and Kenny Davies, owner of Tees R Us, has also donated kit, James Gwilt, Landlord of the Jubilee Inn, Letterston, has given match balls.

The Green Walk, is a movement that focuses on creating awareness and the importance of environmental sustainability, will host matches to express their support and love for these communities.

The friendly matches will be played between slum areas; Huruma, Githogoro; Mathare and Deep Sea, where they currently organise skins and shirts matches.