Kitmas cheer as organisation hits target in helping kids at Christmas

Kitmas 2024 has smashed an initial target of £5,000 as the campaign aims to break new records to help disadvantaged families in the lead up to Christmas.

The initiative aims to recapture the magic of children getting their favourite kits in a variety of sports, supporting those who cannot find it financially viable in a world of uncertainty and increasing financial demands.

Its founder is Paul Watson, a former manager of Oceanic national side Pohnpei, Mongolians team Bayangol and currently a consultant of Bhutanese outfit Thimphu City FC and it as grown exponentially since it was set up in November 2020 after the challenging year that COVID-19 brought about.

Former Cheltenham Town director Murry Toms, and member of the team, explained the idea and how Kitmas has progressed into something that has garnered attention from national circles.

“Paul had some old kit and his idea was just to give it to people for Christmas presents, and from there on we have added a fundraising element,” he said.

“We’ve raised £80,000 at the time of writing, which will go towards supporting at least 5,500 low-income families.

“It has been supported by hundreds of people, companies and organisations and has had celebrity support from the likes of James Corden and Gary Lineker.”

The organisation is not just going to stop at its original target, as it hopes to help kids in low income families enjoy a present that would not have been able to receive previously, with a stretch target in place to hit another £2,500, albeit there is no defined limit.

While Kitmas has assembled support from well-known celebrities, this also extends to sports clubs who aim to bolster their communities in a period where the inequalities between the uber rich, and those worse off becomes more profound.

“I passionately believe in the power of sport, and especially football, to do great things in communities and my hometown club Cheltenham Town has done a couple of campaigns in the past,” Toms said.

“Forest Green Rovers have also been involved, in addition to Exeter City, Bristol City and Bristol Bears. But we want to see more!

“As Christmas approaches the Watsons (Paul his wife Lizzie), Mark (Paul’s comedian brother) and friend Vix Leyton have all these shirts and they work with dozens of community centres around the UK to make sure that they get to the right families at Christmas.”

Toms, who currently leads campaigns and content at the British Horseracing Authority, after 21 years’ involvement at Cheltenham Town harked back to his own previous experience when he experienced a ‘magical moment’ of getting a football shirt.

“I recently posted about when I received my first football shirt in 1985,” he said.

“I’m quite old I know, but I remember getting a Manchester United shirt and just remember how excited I was to get that.

“You only feel that once, and I think all football fans can resonate with each other akin to your first football match, first football shirt and first football boots.”

To help Kitmas shoot towards their stretch target and soar further make sure you donate using this link to ensure that all kids are able to get the sporting gift they want this Christmas.