Ask the Johnstone's Paint Trophy about its work in the community and you will soon receive a shirty answer - as it's now promising to assist youngsters from the developing world thanks to a shirt amnesty.

Fans up and down the country will be invited to donate their football shirts to less fortunate youngsters in South Africa, who are equally passionate about the beautiful game.

Former English footballer, Mark Bright will officially launch The Johnstone's Paint Trophy shirt amnesty on the 10th November 2008 at 12 noon at the Johnstone's Leyland Decorating Centre in Barking.

This is the latest off-pitch initiative since the competition burst onto football fixture lists back in 2006. Since then it has scored a number of community successes courtesy of school curriculum art initiatives, classroom trophy tours and penalty shoot-out competitions.

Working alongside international development charity World Emergency Relief (WER) Johnstone's will launch the shirt amnesty, called ' One Common Goal' encouraging football fans everywhere to take part in and provide football teams in South Africa with shirts to train and play in.

WER works with local partners all over the world to address the needs of impoverished and disadvantaged children and their communities.

The global charity is now working in partnership with the South African Christian charity, Monte Christo Ministries, to develop a football and community programme in Paarl East, South Africa, called 'Kick it into Play.' The shirt donations received through the amnesty will primarily focus on Paarl East but will also help other children in Africa.

So far, WER has been able to secure the land for the project, which has been put aside for the following:

- Three full-size football pitches - one set as a small stadium
- Two junior football pitches
- Community centre
- Large, safe playground for younger children

The Johnstone's shirt amnesty will begin on the 10th November 08 when shirt collection boxes will be situated in Johnstone's Leyland Decorating Centres and participating stockists nationwide.

As a small thank you, Johnstone's Paints will reward anyone who donates their shirt with a 'One Common Goal' t-shirt and automatic entry into a prize draw giveaway to win some fantastic prizes.

If you don't have football shirts to donate but still want to help, 'One Common Goal' donation tins will also be situated on the customer service desks of participating outlets from November 2008.

Managing Director, Greg Molyneux said: "The Johnstone's Paint Trophy has always been passionate about supporting youngsters in communities across the UK.

"This can be seen in the number of initiatives we have launched over the last two years, which have given youngsters the chance to play more football - courtesy of our official ball giveaways - and help them stand a chance of perhaps lacing their own boots at Wembley Stadium one day.

"We now want to extend our community work overseas, so we are naturally delighted to be working alongside WER in their quest to provide Paarl East and other causes in Africa with a football and community programme.

"We are calling on all fans to donate their club shirts - new or old - next time they visit their local Johnstone's Decorating Centre or participating stockist.

"Everyone who contributes to the amnesty will be entered into a prize draw to win a pair of VIP trip to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final amongst some other fantastic prizes."

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