A team of 12 UK police officers took time out of their duties at the World Cup to support a local charity.
The group visited the TLC orphanage in Eikenhof, a town 20 kilometres from Johannesberg, to provide the local children with gifts donated by the likes of Liverpool, Stoke City, Manchester City, Tranmere Rovers, Newcastle United and Shrewsbury Town.
UKFPU coordinator Tony Conniford said: "I had the honour of meeting people associated with the TLC orphanage last year when we were working out logistics during the Confederation Cup.
"Through the FA and the UK Football Supporters Federation we were able to link up with two English volunteers who were working at the centre. I knew when we came back for the World Cup that we needed to do something for these kids.
"Most of them have been abandoned, some left in fields and the work done here to care for them and get them adopted is just amazing. Doing this is just a world away from the work we've been doing here around the World Cup and it really just brings you back down to earth."
Chief Superintendent Dave Lewis, from Merseyside Police said: "It was a privilege to visit and bring some happiness to some lovely children who we all hope have a successful future. Their carers do a fantastic job and we wish them well.
"Football is an international game and the children here, like those in Merseyside, love it. They were absolutely delighted with the football gifts that were donated from our local clubs. I've no doubt that they will be wearing the shirts for months to come."
The TLC orphanage was set up over 17 years ago and cares for 70 children; from the day of their birth right through to the age of 17. It is one of the few orphanages in South Africa that takes on children with disabilities and more than 10 per cent of its children are HIV positive. It is run by a small team of volunteers, many of whom have adopted children themselves.
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