Football shirts left in tribute to Sir Bobby Robson after his death in July last year are now being received by children in some parts of Africa including the Gambia. 
 
Around 6,000 football shirts, scarves and flags were left by fans at Sir Bobby's former clubs - Newcastle United, Ipswich Town, West Bromwich Albion and Fulham in an incredible outpouring of affection and respect for the former England manager. Many feature touching personal messages regarding Sir Bobby and they are now being distributed by a number of charities - KitAid, the RAF's Taking Football to Africa and Beyond Appeal, Coaches Across Continents and CAFOD to benefit disadvantaged people in Eastern Europe, Asia, South America and Africa. 
 
The first shirts distributed overseas have been delivered to Gambia where they are being used by The Association For Child Education (TAFCE) - an education and vocational skills project set up by local people in North Bank Region of Kerewan. Since its launch in 1998, KitAid has distributed 100,000 items of football kit to 35 different countries.  
 
 The charity's founder, Derrick Williams, says: "We're really pleased that the first shipment of Sir Bobby Robson shirts has arrived in Gambia and the reaction from the children who received them was superb. They love anything to do with football in the UK and they are now all following the English teams with even more interest."