SPORTS GEAR GIFT HEADS ACROSS THE WORLD

Menzie Yere loading sports gear. Image credit: James Collinsl

RUGBY league international Menzie Yere has helped send off the latest gift of hundreds of items of sports kit for the people of his native Papua New Guinea.

Yere who plays for Sheffield Eagles, in the United Kingdom, was on hand to load a container packed with shirts, shorts, socks and boots which will make a 9,000-mile, seven-week, trip across the world.

The sporting gear was donated by fans, schools, clubs and kit manufacturers nationwide through the Kits2Kids charity which was inspired by Yere.

The plea for kit donations was launched after it was revealed that the PNG international bought two pairs of boots each month and sent them back home for players less fortunate than himself.

Yere said: “I just wanted to help and the way sports fans in the UK have supported me is great – a big ‘thank you’ to them.”

The latest consignment, which left this week, is the second following a shipment late in 2011.

Eagles’ director Chris Noble, MBE, chief executive officer of international industrial re-location experts Hanlon and Wright has played a key role in the success of the appeal.

The company’s base at Dukinfield, Manchester, has been the collection and storage point for kit donations and has organised the shipping to PNG.

Sports Gears bound for PNG. Image credit: James Collings

He said: “It’s great the way Menzie is trying to help young people back in PNG. “Once again sports fans across the country have responded with individuals giving their old kits and rugby clubs from every part the country – rugby league and rugby union. It’s been amazing how generous people have been.”

He added: “This is the second shipment and the staff at Hanlon and Wright have given their time to help Menzie and make it a success.”

When the kits arrive in PNG the kit will be distributed by the Rotary club of Boroko to schools and sports organizations.

BACKGROUND INFO:

Menzie Yere, aged 29, is a professional rugby league player and one of the most famous sports stars in Papua New Guinea. He is a key member of the national team – nicknamed the Kumuls – and first made an impact scoring a try against Australia in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. He is a former Sportsman of the Year in PNG. A powerful centre Yere is renown for his blockbuster tackling and was given the nickname ‘Jukebox’ by the Australian press in a recent international tournament because he had ‘all the big hits’. He joined Sheffield Eagles, who play in the Kingstone Press Championship, at the start of the 2009 season.

Hanlon and Wright is one of the UK’s leading experts in plant and machinery removals and installation. The firm, which operates throughout the UK and internationally and offers a wide range specialist services. Hanlon and Wright, is based in Dukinfield, Manchester, has more than 40 years experience in a highly specialised field.

Hanlon and Wright’s head office is at Tudor House, Park Road, Dukinfield, Manchester.

General Manager Shaun Campbell can be contacted on 0161 330 7631. Email: enquiries@hanlonandwright.co.uk