A charity project has been launched in Sheffield to donate outgrown football boots to underprivileged children.

Niven Padgett was inspired to launch ‘Football boots for Sheffield youth’ after coming across children who could not afford appropriate PE equipment.

During a cost of living crisis, many families are struggling to keep up with household bills, meaning that providing expensive sports equipment can often be a bridge too far.

Mr Padgett acknowledged this, saying that for families: “A new pair of football boots once or twice a year comes fairly low down in the pecking order.”

He explained the project would work through schools to identify children most in need.

A child would be given a pair when: “A teacher has identified that a student is missing boots, and is not going to be able to get a pair.”

The football boots will be presented as if they are new, in cardboard boxes with paper tissue inside, along with a note from the sender.

Mr Padgett calls this a holistic approach where “the person who gave the boots knows they can be handed on and someone is grateful for them.”

The project was launched with the support of Rotary Sheffield, and an appeal was put out on three local Facebook pages to find people willing to donate unused football boots to those who need it.

So far, 12 pairs of shoes have been delivered within a week, with another 30 people agreeing to bring one or more pairs.

Faith Salih, who donated her son Nathaniel’s boots to the project said: “Niven’s project is a great idea. I hate to think of kids who want to play football not being able to.”

The boots included a note from Nathaniel saying “I hope they can be enjoyed by someone else.”

The project is gaining momentum and Mr Padgett hopes he will have enough boots to start donating them by the end of next week.

The Facebook page was launched last Thursday and it now has nearly 100 followers.