FOOTBALLERS from RAF Odiham were on target, both on and off the pitch.

Personnel visited the Hampshire FA headquarters in Winklebury, Basingstoke, to collect scores of football kits that will go towards poverty-stricken people around the world.

They took the kits to RAF Shawbury, in Shropshire, where Wing Commander Neil Hope runs the RAF backed Taking Football to Africa and Beyond Charitable Appeal.

While there, the personnel, who are members of the RAF Odiham football team, won 3-2 in a pre-season friendly against a side made up of personnel from RAF Shawbury and RAF Valley in Anglesey.

Sergeant Jason Kehoe, who runs the RAF Odiham football team, said: “We were very pleased to be able to assist the appeal in interacting with the Hampshire County FA and we are grateful to them for providing the kits.”

Wing Commander Hope said: All of the donated items will be sorted and stored at RAF Shawbury until they can be delivered to the needy across the world.

“I am very thankful to the Hampshire FA, RAF Odiham and RAF Valley for their kind assistance."

So far the appeal has delivered more than 117,000 items, including 39,000 football shirts to 50 countries, with the vast majority going to people in Kenya.