FOOTBALL shirts from Manchester United, Southampton and Crystal Palace were among those donated to charity at an event for local businesses in Bordon.

At a recent SiGNAL BiZHUB event, business owners were introduced to Jayme Sporton and Tania Harding who, as football fanatics affected by cancer, saw an opportunity to do something about the disease by setting up Football Shirts For Charity.

It sells donated football shirts from around the world, with all profits made by the organisation going to cancer charities The Bobby Moore Fund and Cancer Research UK.

Jayme and Tania’s motto for their charity is ‘Every Shirt Has a Story’.

They said: “Football is the national sport that transcends all generations and all walks of life.

“It is a very special community that provides belonging and togetherness. We wanted to do something different.”

Dedicated to selling retro, used and vintage football shirts from all over the world, worn by teams ranging from international to local non-league level, they said: “The sight of any football shirt always evokes so many special memories and conversations.

“Football Shirts For Charity was born from the love of knowing the pride in securing ownership of a pre-loved, historic, retro or vintage football shirt, while also contributing to vital charities.”

SiGNAL BiZHUB, a membership club for business owners in and around Bordon, helps businesses connect with the support they need. The group meets regularly for networking events and workshops. Jayme and Tania joined the BiZHUB in January 2022 to help grow their new charity.

Insurance negotiator James Evamy met Jayme and Tania through the BiZHUB, and was so touched and inspired by their story he offered them 25 of his beloved football shirts, including his 1999 signed Manchester United shirt.

These were gratefully accepted, and James was pleased to pass the shirts to them at the SiGNAL BiZHUB event at BOSC on April 29. Pictured, from left, are Emma Selby of SiGNAL, Jayme Sporton, Tania Harding, James Evamy, Stuart Austin of Sutton Winson Ltd and Louise Eldridge of SiGNAL.

Anyone with a football shirt they no longer wear which they would like to donate to Football Shirts For Charity should visit www.footballshirtsfc.co.uk for more information.