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On July 1st 2017, Airdrieonians Supporters Trust launched our 4th Annual Kit Amnesty at Airdrie Fair Day. Running throughout July and August, under 16’s in the area will receive a free season ticket for the club in return for handing in any unwanted piece of kit, which will then be sent to our charity partners KitAid, and then redistributed to some of the poorest countries in the world.

KitAid were established in 1998, and since then, have sent 425000 pieces of kit around the world. Airdrieonians have donated nearly 14000 pieces of that kit in 3 years, and in return, have issued nearly 1200 season tickets to children in the area, aiming to make football affordable for the children and families in the area. We became an ambassador club for the charity in 2014, and the Strip amnesty is the biggest event in the Trusts’ calendar.

Every year, the Trust subsidise the free season tickets. Backed by generous sponsorship from BSB Structural, we run a variety of fund raisers and events throughout the season to be able to pay for the kids tickets.

But this year, we have received a bit of help from one of the biggest names in the music industry to help raise funds.

Radio host and Diamonds fan Ross Owen once again used his celebrity links to secure Olly’s signature – this time with the help of the singer’s mum Vickylynn.

Ross has helped raise thousands for the Trust’s campaign for a new sensory room at the Excelsior Stadium and the latest signing looks set to boost that total.

Trust chairman Willie Marshall said: “This one’s a bit different and should appeal to a big market and different age group than Vinnie Jones or Ricky Gervais.

“It’s a really important time of the season for the Trust and hopefully this will be a big help.”

The Trust have decided to auction this fantastic and rare piece of memorabilia, with funds going to the KitAid Project to subsidise free season tickets for children. It is a fantastic item and one which we hope will go a long way to providing football kits for children in Africa, and affordable football for children in Airdrie.

Colin Patersons’ view on Airdrie Trusts’ Strip Amnesty – Airdrie Advertiser August 2016.
It’s easy to sit back and knock Scottish Football.
But it’s important that success and positives in our game are celebrated.
Sometimes you have to look hard to find them – but they are there.
One project which is a resounding success and, to be frank, could be rolled out across the nation was born right here in Monklands.
And for that, members of the Airdrieonians Supporters’ Trust deserve immense credit.
Very rarely do you come across a charity scheme which ticks all the boxes, ensuring everyone is a winner.
But the trust’s KitAid collection does just that.
In case you are not familiar with KitAid, it is a UK-based charity which collects old or unwanted football clothing and sends it out to some of the world’s poorest countries.
The people benefiting are hugely grateful – and, it has been said, will wear their new football tops with huge pride.
This year has seen the Diamonds fans take part for the third time.
The trust’s excellent work is highlighted in these pages regularly.
They truly are a great, enthusiastic bunch of people – Airdrieonians Football Club is very lucky to have them.
In order to help find the fans of the future, the trust decided to tie a donation to KitAid with free season tickets.
Simply put, if a kid had an old Manchester United shirt collecting dust in a drawer, they could hand it into one of the KitAid collection points.
In return, they get a voucher redeemable for a free season ticket which entitles them to attend the club’s league games.
And the trust make sure their club is not out of pocket by underwriting the cost of the free season tickets.
The latest appeal is just wrapping up. Once again, it has been a success.
Around 400 vouchers were handed out and loads of kit collected.
The enthusiasm from people in Monklands for the KitAid appeals led to the charity naming Airdrieonians as one of their ambassador clubs.
It’s a wonder why SPFL clubs in Scotland aren’t copying what is being done in ML6.
The club does not lose out financially, has new young fans through the gate (who could grow up and become supporters who pay their own way) and benefits from a dose of positive PR.
Young people in the area are getting to watch live football on their own doorstep simply by handing over a piece of football kit they probably don’t wear any more.
The KitAid charity receives a huge donation which supports their work in far-flung places.
And the trust take on the responsibility of funding the entire thing, with great support from sponsor Stuart Shields at BSB Structural Ltd.
Everyone’s a winner.
Of course, what matters most to football fans is picking up three points on a Saturday.
But it’s good to see success off the pitch as well as on it.
Hats off to the boys and girls at the trust.
They really are sparkling Diamonds.