The fledgling footballers who took on a coastal trek for a great cause

They're the fledgling footballers who took on a coastal trek for a charity close to their hearts.

Teammates from the newly formed Stubbington Sprites under 10s walked six miles of the Solent Way to raise enough money to gift their shirt sponsorship to Sophie's Legacy, the charity formed in honour of a brave Stubbington schoolgirl who lost her battle with a rare form of cancer at their age.

They were thrilled to double their initial target of £1,000, shaking their buckets and meeting Mayor of Fareham, Cllr Pal Hayre, and charity mascot Promise the Penguin along the way.

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Coach Andrew Griffin explained: "Our brand new team needed a kit so we could play in the Mid Solent Youth League and I came up with the idea of raising money through a sponsored walk which meant we could donate the sponsor's logo on our shirts to a very, very good cause.

"People locally will know all about the sad but inspiring story of Sophie's Legacy and I am delighted that the charity formed in memory of some of the club’s older players’ classmate were happy to take up our offer.

"By raising £1,000 for the Sprites kit, we could support the work of Sophie’s Legacy by wearing her charity’s logo on our shirts and jackets – which will be seen by scores of people every week at grounds all over south-east Hampshire and while training midweek – over the next two years.

"Thanks to the generosity of one anonymous individual, we doubled our original £1k target. An £1,000 donation was made a few hours before we set off and the boys were so excited to wake up to the news we had £1,700 before taking a single step.

"It was a very poignant moment as we walked along the seafront at Hill Head to reach the bench decorated in Sophie’s memory."

(Image: Supplied) The walk took the team from Warsash to Hill Head, along Lee-on-the-Solent to Stokes Bay. They were met by the Mayor and members of the Sophie's Legacy team at Monks Hill.

The Sprites are Stubbington Youth Football Club's newest team. While the club typically provides kits, they seek sponsors whenever possible. The fundraising initiative has allowed the team to dedicate their kit space to a deserving cause, inspired by Barcelona and Aston Villa.

(Image: Supplied)