Massive-hearted Motherwell fan whose African journey was impressed by award-winning film set to return

A Motherwell fan who transported almost a tonne of soccer tools to Zambia to assist underprivileged youngsters is about to do all of it once more.

Scott McClure was impressed to launch Pepe’s Zambia Soccer Basis after watching a film.

That led to him travelling out to Zambia in March to distribute 950 kilos of soccer tools to high school youngsters.

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The 43-year-old determined to arrange the challenge after watching the lead character in a movie trade his soccer shirt.

Scott revealed: “You’ll in all probability assume I’m a nut job however I watched The Final King of Scotland and had a wee mild bulb second and thought I wish to do one thing like that.”

Within the film fellow-Scot James McAvoy performs the position of medic Nicholas Garrigan who swaps his Scotland prime with the Ugandan army dictator Idi Amin.

Scott, who lives on the Ravenscraig housing property, began off by filling a suitcase with used soccer shirts and kits, he ended up with 950kg of stuff.

“I shipped it throughout in suitcases on a pallet,” he continued. “The individuals over there then used the suitcases for storage.

“Now that I’ve been [to Zambia] and seen the distinction it’s made I’m arranging to return out.

“It’s sort of taking on my life to an extent, however in a great way. It’s been unbelievable.

“I’m in a Liverpool supporters’ membership in addition to being a Motherwell fan they usually raised a number of grand by raffles and stuff.

“I additionally raised cash by soccer memorabilia and ended up with about £10,000.

“Earlier than I went out to Africa I had a drive on at Tesco and was given a complete set of Motherwell Hummel kits from 1992 in children sizes. The village I’ve been working in is known as Mukuni they usually’re altering the identify of their native soccer staff to Motherwell Mukuni. There are wee boys now going to high school in Motherwell strips on this little bit of Zambia.”

Pupils at St Brendan’s Main and Our Woman and St Francis Main in Carfin helped increase his fundraising efforts, contributing round £700 in whole. Final week he returned to St Brendan’s to offer a presentation of his time in Zambia and clarify how the cash was used.

“We organised a soccer match in Zambia after I was there with 12 groups,” Scott added. “One of many groups turned up in a horse and cart. The children make footballs out of plastic baggage and string so we purchased new balls. I introduced a string ball to the college presentation that that they had made. I wished to point out the college children right here what their cash is being spent on.”

Gillian Mackay MSP was delighted to affix Scott on the faculty for the presentation.

She stated: “It was beautiful to go to St. Brendan’s final week and to speak at their faculty meeting alongside Scott from Pepe’s Zambia Soccer Basis.

“I beforehand lodged a movement in parliament to congratulate Scott on the incredible work the Basis has achieved to offer youngsters in Zambia with soccer strips and tools, and to recognise the contribution native faculties, together with St. Brendan’s, performed by their fundraising.

“I want Scott all the perfect for his future work and look ahead to liaising with each St Brendan’s Main and the Basis going ahead.”

Various Lanarkshire companies have additionally supported Scott. GCN in Gowkthrapple helped with storage and palleting, and Paterson’s Trophies donated the silverware for the soccer match.

Mukuni village already has robust hyperlinks to Lanarkshire, it’s near the Victoria Falls which have been named by David Livingstone.

Scott is now planning to strengthen his personal bond with a return journey, this time with a 20ft container filled with soccer tools and different gadgets.

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