AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth have donated 1,000 high visibility vests to local youngsters for their walks to and from school.
The club used £1,000 from the Cherries Community Fund to buy the tops for #Kidsinvis scheme, which were printed with the AFC Bournemouth logo at no cost by BH Clothing.
Launched in February 2016, Cherries Community Fund aims to provide financial assistance to projects that help young people and vulnerable groups, or those that promote a healthy lifestyle in Bournemouth.
#Kidsinvis is the brainchild of Mike Trimby, who has seen the scheme hand out around 5,000 high visibility vests throughout the area to date.
"The original idea was born in September," he explained.
"It began by getting a couple of kids-sized high visibility vests for my children, and then 90 or so for my son’s school, and it has grown from there.
"It’s massive to have the support of AFC Bournemouth and to be able to hand out another 1,000 vests.
"This is a community project, supported by the community, and AFC Bournemouth is a massive part of the community so I am delighted they are involved."
AFC Bournemouth chief executive, Neill Blake, said: "When the club was first made aware of this cause and asked if we would support it, we were very happy to.
"It really struck a chord with us. Providing school children with high visibility vests is a simple idea but one that can have a big effect on their safety and wellbeing.
"We take all aspects of safety very seriously, including road safety. For the last two seasons the club’s Community Sports Trust has delivered a project called Soccer Safety School in partnership with Yellow Buses, and this is another demonstration of our commitment to the local community."
