Fawley (2 June 2008) -- Young footballers in Hythe have received a real confidence boost after taking delivery of a brand new kit.

Hythe Football Club, which plays at the Waterside Club in Holbury, has also bought new balls and training equipment with a £1,000 grant from Esso and ExxonMobil Chemical at Fawley, in recognition of the time and effort one employee has put into volunteering with the club.

The money has been donated under a special scheme designed to recognise the efforts of ExxonMobil employees and their families who contribute their time, talent and energy to schools, charities and non-profit making organisations. The scheme not only helps local organisations, but also improves the links between ExxonMobil and the local community.

The grant applicant was Mark Sellwood, who works in maintenance at the refinery in Fawley. He runs the line at matches, as well as helping out with the preparation of equipment for training. He has been involved with the club for the last four years through his son Alex, who is in the under 11s team.

He said: “Grants of this sort make a huge difference to the club. It enables us to keep the fees reasonably low so that the maximum number of boys and girls can take part without worrying too much about the cost.”

The ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Programme at Fawley, together with its sister scheme for school governors, has so far contributed more than £300,000 to local community projects since it was started four years ago.