The best possible way to fill your boots

Sport Hawke's Bay's commercial manager Kevin Murphy with some of the many pairs of boots and sports shoes donated in the Bring Yer Boots campaign. Photo / Paul Taylor

Boots of all shapes and sizes are piling up at Hawke's Bay Today's office as part of the annual "Bring yer Boots" campaign.

For the second year in a row, the paper is calling on its readers to donate used boots and sports shoes that will be distributed by Sport Hawke's Bay to children who need them to play sport this winter.

Hawke's Bay Today editor Andrew Austin said: "The response to our appeal for boots has been fantastic. Thank you to all our readers who have donated boots and sports shoes for those who need them."

A range of boots, sneakers, socks, knee pads, and even the odd cricket set have been donated for the good cause and the pile is continuing to grow.

People have even dropped off boots and shoes which are near new.

In one case, someone went out and bought a brand new pair of soccer boots for a teenager.

Sport Hawke's Bay commercial manager Kevin Murphy said: "I can't believe the support we have for the second year in a row - there seems to be as many boots as last year being donated - along with running shoes."

"These will make a real difference to many kids wanting to play sport - so thanks very much to all those who have donated."

About 170 pairs of mainly second-hand boots have been donated since the project began a couple of weeks ago, and that number is expected to rise before the conclusion of the campaign.

Drop-off points
•42 Tennyson St, Napier
•301 Heretaunga St East, Hastings
•76 Ruataniwha St, Waipukurau
•16 Gordon Rd, Dannevirke
•Boots and sports shoes, which should be clean, can be dropped off at the above addresses until the start of the second school term on Monday, April 20