Each pub has signed up for ‘Project Fair Play’ a football themed charity campaign that embraces the passion for football that exists amongst locals in pubs up and down the country.

Justin Lee Collins says, "Project Fair Play is a great way for all you footie fans to make sure the World Cup is enjoyed by everyone, including disadvantaged kids here and also in the host country, South Africa."

Kicking off with a ‘shirt amnesty’, each pub is asking locals to donate unwanted kit which will be taken over to townships in Johannesburg as well as disadvantaged youngsters in Cape Town in time for the World Cup.   

Lucy-Jo Hudson says, “Having lived out in South Africa for a long time when filming Wild at Heart, I saw the passion for football in youngsters in and around the townships of Jo’burg, so I’m delighted that Project Fair Play is making sure the spirit of the World Cup is reaching those youngsters. I’ll definitely be donating a football shirt which I know will be put to excellent use.”

The pubs are also undergoing a massive fundraising campaign to build a new sports ground at the Ukhanyo School in Masiphumelele which will also be used by the local community.  Here, they’ll supply Alive & Kicking footballs which carry health messages about HIV and Malaria to help educate the kids through the medium of football.

Not forgetting our local kids, the campaign will also fund children’s charity, KidsOut’s sports projects for disadvantaged youngsters across the UK.

Pub Manager Rita Pidgeon from the Ship Inn, one of the participating pubs in Rainhill says: “What better way to raise funds than through our biggest passion. Knowing how much our customers love their football, we’re sure there’s going to be no shortage of old shirts coming out of the closet for the Shirt Amnesty!”

A full list of participating pubs and more information can be found at www.projectfairplay.co.uk