So here it is, our brand new third kit, fresh from the imagination of our young supporters.
We recently challenged our Under-14 fans to let their creative juices flow and design our new community shirt, promoting the important work of Child Poverty Action Group.
The organisation is the official charity partner of Mira Showers who have kindly donated their front-of-shirt sponsorship for our collaborative campaign.
In the end we received hundreds of entries from almost 60 schools, handing new manager Darrell Clarke the difficult task of picking our winner.
Today – on Child Poverty Day – we are thrilled to announced that six-year-old Ruby Barnes from Warden Hill Primary School has won our competition with her eye-catching black and pink design. Her name has been added to the inside of the neck for posterity.
Congratulations Ruby!
Ruby will now join us at this Saturday's 'Kids for a Quid' game against Cambridge United when we will make a presentation at half-time. It includes a stash of gear from our technical partners at Errea for her school's PE department.
She will then proudly lead out the players on Boxing Day when they will be wearing the unique kit in the match against Shrewsbury Town. There will also be a limited run in the shop on the day with the proceeds going towards the charity.
We are also inviting every single one of our entrants to the match against Leyton Orient on Saturday, December 16. We will be in touch soon by email with the details on how to claim the free tickets.
And because of the overwhelming response to our competition we have decided to put all of the brilliant entries on permanent display at the ground as soon as we can.
"Child Poverty Action Group works on behalf of more than one in four children growing up in poverty in our country," a spokesperson for Child Poverty Action Group said.
"The charity is extremely grateful to Mira Showers and Cheltenham Town Football Club for raising awareness and much-needed funds to support our work through this shirt competition.
"Congratulations to the winner, six-year-old Ruby Barnes, who has created a striking design to get people to take notice!"
Later on today Darrell Clarke will attend a press conference with a difference, facing questions from a class of school children to mark today's announcement on Child Poverty Day. We will share a video from the occasion at Mira's Space 100 tomorrow (on Wednesday).
"We have been so impressed with the creative talent on show," said director Murry Toms.
"It hasn't been the easiest of times to use our platform for good but the appetite for this community campaign was a timely reminder of what the club is all about.
"The way our staff, partners and young supporters at nearly 60 schools have come together to promote the vital work of Child Poverty Action Group has been absolutely brilliant, and we can't wait to see it on Boxing Day."
About Child Poverty Action Group
Poverty affects every aspect of a child’s life, from growing up in cramped, damp homes to going without a warm winter coat and being left behind on school trips. It means childhoods filled with worry. Kids in poverty often do less well at school. Poverty damages their health and future life chances.
Child Poverty Action Group works on behalf of the more than one in four children in the UK growing up in poverty. Their vision is of a society free of child poverty, where all children can enjoy a childhood free of financial hardship and have a fair chance in life to reach their full potential. They use our understanding of what causes poverty and the impact it has on children’s lives to campaign for policies that will prevent and end poverty – for good. They provide training, advice and information to make sure hard-up families get the financial support they need.
When the UK’s leaders get more money to families with the least, kids get their childhoods back. The UK’s leaders need to make a plan to tackle child poverty, starting with:
- Removing the two-child limit on benefits – because kids shouldn’t be punished for having siblings.
- Scrapping the benefit cap – it hurts single mothers and their young children most.
- Raising child benefit by £20 a week – to invest in children and give security.
- Rolling out free school meals for all school pupils – so all children can enjoy lunch together.
Find out more about their work over on their website.
