Jersey fundraiser is first for Spirit of Paul McGirr

ONE local charity has launched a novel idea of raising some much-needed finances following the what it has described as the devastating impact on charity fundraising events in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic disruption.

The Spirit of Paul McGirr Trust is hoping that a newly designed jersey, produced by the local firm of MFC Sports, will be the big hit with young people and prove to be the ideal Christmas present.

It will be available until October 31 at 11pm and will be its own source of funding this year after a series of activities, including the annual Paul McGirr Ulster U-16 Champions Tournament, had to be abandoned.

“The effect of Covid-19 has been devastating on charity fundraising and the Spirit of Paul McGirr is no exception,” said its Director, Michael, a brother of the late Paul, who died in 1997 after being injured while playing for the Tyrone Minor team in the Ulster Championship.

“We started building the Tyrone School Zambia, a non-denomination Secondary School in the summer of 2019 in Lusaka, Zambia, where our charity has been operating since 2007.

“But that work has largely been delayed because many of those who would normally have gone over there in the course of the year have been unable to in 2020.

“Education is a clear pathway out of the poverty in which these children live and our charity has been proactive in helping to build a Special Needs school and a Primary School in this township to enable access.

“We are keen to complete the school construction so we can it over to the Zambia Education Authority.”

The jersey portrays the logo of the Spirit of Paul McGirr Trust and will be available to purchase on the Spirit of Paul McGirr Facebook and Instagram pages or visit https://link.mfc-sports.com/teamwear/code/YYQLAQ.