AN APPEAL to collect football shirts for children with Aids has been boosted after Darlington Football Club donated 25 shirts.

A group of teachers from Darlington is flying to South Africa on Saturday, May 26, to gain experience of teaching abroad.

The group will visit Mohau children's Aids and HIV hospice, and as a goodwill gesture is taking football shirts to present to the children.

After hearing about the visit, Darlington Football Club chief executive Jon Sotnick decided to donate 25 shirts.

"The bottom line is that football is a universal language.

"As a football club, Darlington FC must be seen to be helping the underprivileged and those in need," he said.

"We will make the most of any opportunity to use this football club as a vehicle to help and assist disadvantaged people.

"We look forward to hearing from the group when they return."

John Steel, who is organising the trip as part of Teachers' International Professional Development, said: "It is so important to get the support of our local football club and it goes to show how keen Darlington Football Club is to get involved with the national and international community."

Meanwhile, Swiss International Airlines has agreed to take 10kg of shirts for free in the luggage hold after The Northern Echo challenged the airline's decision to charge the group for excess baggage.

Second-hand football shirts are still wanted, and can be handed in to Darlington Town Hall reception