Widnes footballers have donated more than 150 kits and equipment so that youngsters in Africa can play “the beautiful game”.

Children and young people from Widnes FC Juniors have supported the Play4Change project in Guinea-Bissau, which sends footballing essentials to boy and girls of all ages so that they can access the sport.

As well as supporting players in their love of football with dedicated training sessions, equipment and building new facilities, the project also provides job skills training and education for the youngsters.

Sarah-Louise Cullen, who works in the charity sector, has seen first-hand the impact that the project has had on young people.

She said: “The skills these young people are taught, are then used to support their local community, and there have been recent developments including water pump installations in remote villages.

“The project is run by Jordan Parker, based in Salford, and Moy Moises, who has recently returned to Guinea-Bissau having played football in the north west for a number of years.”