FOOTBALL kit from Harrow has been given a new lease of life after being donated to school children in rural Sri Lanka.

Store partners from Specsavers Harrow, Pinner and Harrow Weald have sent football shirts, boots and other kit previously used by Parkfield Youth Football Club to village schools in Wellawaya, in Sri Lanka’s Monaragala district.

The Specsavers branded kit was originally provided as part of a £3,000 sponsorship package in 2025, which saw stores support Parkfield Youth FC’s U12s with new home and away kits, all-weather raincoats and boots.

Rather than letting the previous kit go to waste, the teams saw an opportunity for it to continue making a difference. The donation was initiated by Parkfield Youth FC coach, Antonio Leo, who is also Specsavers senior divisional retail trainer for Greater London alongside colleague Sujith Weerasinghe, Specsavers Regional Relationship Manager North West London, himself a Sri Lankan from Colombo who has organised many charitable initiatives for people in need within the country.

Commenting on the donation, Antonio Leo said: ‘As one of the club’s coaches at Parkfield Youth FC and in my capacity within Specsavers, following discussion with the Specsavers store partners and the club, we decided that donating the home and away kit to the school children in Wellawaya would be befitting.

‘Especially learning from Sujith that many of them do not even have shoes let alone football kit. So, we’re delighted to have been able to support them and sustain the longevity of the kit. We’re also very grateful to Sujith for organising and shipping the consignment of football kit to Sri Lanka.’

Sujith says: ‘Specsavers as an organisation is focussed on sustainability, so we’re pleased to be able to support the children in the village schools who are thrilled with the football kit and boots.

‘It will make a tremendous difference to them, not only in terms of playing football but also building up their confidence and self-esteem.’

Keen football supporter Adam Shackle, retail director of Specsavers Harrow, Pinner and Harrow Weald, said: ‘As a team we are very community focussed, and football brings together its own community of players, coaches and supporters. So, we’re pleased that the football kit from the Parkfield Youth Football Club sponsorship programme will continue to be used by the children in Sri Lanka.’

Specsavers recommend that adults and children should have an eye test at least every two years, or more often if advised by their optician. The NHS will cover the full cost of an eye test for anyone who qualifies. All children under 16, as well as those under 19 in full-time education, are entitled to an NHS funded eye test.

To check your eyesight or hearing is match fit, you can contact Specsavers Harrow on 020 8424 0244 or book an appointment online https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/harrow

Contact Specsavers Harrow Weald on 020 8427 5199 or book online https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/harrowweald