A team of young footballers are benefiting from brand new training jackets and equipment after we donated a £500 sports voucher.

Based at Cleeve Primary School in Bransholme, AFC Kinloss has three teams – boys under 14s and under 13s, and girls under eights – totalling about 40 players who train up to twice a week.

One of the youngsters, Owen Storr, 12, won our ‘giant bus stop’ at the Hull Daily Mail Sports Awards earlier this year, as well as tickets to Hull City versus Wolves courtesy of Gosschalks solicitors.

Owen chose to donate the voucher prize to his club, enabling them to buy rain jackets and training equipment such as hoops, poles and parachutes.

AFC Kinloss coach Gary Fee said: “The donation from the Smile Foundation has been a god send. We are a relatively new club and, even though we try our hardest, finances are not amazing. But the children are so happy now because they have everything they need for training.

“Having the jackets and equipment is already making a difference to the team. We have a lot of smiling, happy players and they have jackets to keep them dry, which is absolutely brilliant.

“I have a good team behind me and the parents are very supportive. We are a very close knit club and this donation has been the icing on the cake.”

Smile’s Organiser Sarah Shepherdson said: “Supporting clubs such as AFC Kinloss is really important to us, as they continue to do great work in the community at grassroots level.

“We’re delighted to cover the cost of the jackets and equipment and hope the team continues to go from strength-to-strength.

“Sport is a great way of engaging children, keeping them active and encouraging teamwork, and we’re thrilled they are happy.

“We’d also like to thank the Hull Daily Mail for allowing us to hold the ‘giant bus stop’ at the Sports Awards.

“It was brilliant to see such a great turnout and so many people recognised for their sporting achievements.”