Barnesalona FC

BarnesAIDlona – “Bringing Footballs to Africa” – Newsletter Oct 2003
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Where does one start - the first thing that comes to mind is a quote from Magnus Magnusson “I’ve started so I’ll finish” except in this case it seems more appropriate to say “He started so we’ll finish”… So many people since James’s passing away have rekindled my faith in mankind’s ability to look after not only their life but also that of others, as they are ready to give up their time and dedicate much effort to the cause James’s had worked so hard for. I am sure the reason for giving up their time and help is solely due to their knowing and meeting James. It seems to me that it’s not only the aim of the charity but also the person that started it that has brought people together. His enthusiasm, his dedication, his will, his spirit, his craziness, his dream, his “baby”, his friendship all shone through and for those reasons, people have responded in the most generous manner. This will enable us to complete his dream – and for that I am sure he is looking down thinking “I’ve done some good, people are coming together and looking to fulfil my dream to give to the under-privileged kids, to Bringing Footballs to Africa”. I want to thank you on his behalf.

Thank those of you who, in any shape, way or form have given something to the cause – from attending, playing or helping during the initial 5-a-side tournament in September 2002 (where I also donated my right knee cruciate ligament..! luckily, tendons are not too precious and one has since found a new lease of life – I digress), from the unbelievable amount of money raised from donations on the day of his funeral and later weeks (£5900), from those attending those initial meetings on the infamous barge in Little Venice on how to go forward in keeping the dream alive (Louis, Penni (great spag bol !), Marie-Helene, and Samir), to those who have spent time on research into finding Diani Beach in Kenya (thank you Emma !), into the possible costs, the regulations, the time factors, the political equations, the offer of help in contact seeking, networking, the means to get the equipment to Kenya, the list is almost endless. The dilemma is now putting it all together and deciding on the best course of action. But I need only look at the list of those helping, to realise with confidence that the right manner in which to manage the decision process on how best use the money donated will be made.

I won’t go into the details of Jame’s trip as you will be able to find James’ diary on the new Barnesalona website, created by Hamid, a Barnesalona player and friend of James’s, whom I thank for doing such a great job.
James bought a 12 seater red Mercedes bus, sprayed it with Barnesalona logos, converted it into a mobile home, collected all sorts of football equipment - footballs, kits, bibs, cones, etc,, - and drove off into the sunset (… not very sunny in December though it is a picturesque romantic vision, so I would ask you to indulge me ..), with the target being Diani Beach in Kenya. Why?

Because he had promised the kids he had met there the summer before that he would be back with equipment. It is this promise we are trying to keep alive. James found a new love for driving… as he pursued his dream by travelling through France, Italy, Hungary, Lebanon and, (skipping a few other countries as their spelling frighten me), ended up in Jordan where his trip ended. The Egyptian authorities would not let him pass through the country unless
a small fortune was handed over. His funds had run out. He could no longer continue, he came back to London in January. His intent was to amass enough money to return and try again in September. He unfortunately never managed to complete this journey, his own ending one month later. A loss we are still trying to understand. A journey we are trying to complete.

We have our first fundraising event on the 1st November organised by one of James’s oldest friend’s Marie-Helene to whom massive thanks are called for.
Thank you Marie-Helene. James’s video diary of his trip will be shown, there will be live music (yours truly will be playing and expecting many donations to get me off stage!), DJ’s and food. Should be a good night.

So, what are the next steps and why do we need donations, and how are we to use these in an effective manner? I touched upon this lightly at the beginning of this rambling, but it will not hurt to tell more.

The first objective is to fulfil James’ promise to those young kids. This we will do. The decision is how?
There are many variables.

• 1st is finding the bus with the equipment. We have found it - James had left it with a family in Petra, Jordan - we have been in touch with the family.
The bus is apparently in their front garden, the carburettor needs fixing/changing and the windows don’t open. They are happy to keep the van as long as it takes. Again, generosity exudes.

• 2nd is finding the contacts in Kenya that James had made. This will obviously be a crucial aspect. There will be recce undertaken in the next couple of months. We only have names to work with, and will need to hope that people out there remember the energetic football coach who was out there all that time ago. I don’t think they can forget!

• 3rd is the cost of relocating the goods from Petra, Jordan to Diani Beach, Kenya. It is apparent this will be a very costly exercise. in terms of shipping and customs. There is a time scale issue to take into consideration as it could take months to take second hand goods into Kenya. We are looking at other angles from which to surmount these cost barriers. Should it then look viable, we will complete his journey. Should it not, the decision will be whether to spend money on shipment and customs anyway or simply buy the equipment on site.

• 4th is looking to the future for BarnesAIDlona once the above promise has been met. There are avenues being looked at. Nothing is set in stone. We have strong links with a member of an organisation called Truce International who is helping us. Truce was set up by its patrons Sven-Goran Eriksson and Nancy Dell'Olio and part of its mission is using football to help underprivileged kids in Africa. They are both also aware of BarnesAIDlona. Although I'm told we can't donate the money directly to Truce due to its set-up, Truce have pledged to try and help us set up a football scheme in Kenya to start with and if necessary helping to find local partners over there. They are also working on helping us to get the football equipment from Jordan, where James left it, to Kenya"
One thing we are sure of is continuing the charity and keeping it’s donors informed of any news pertaining to the cause. There will be further fundraising events in aid of BarnesAIDlona next year. We will post any details and developments on the Barnesalona web page for those interested in the future of BarnesAIDlona “Bringing Football to Africa”. I would also like to invite you to express your thoughts and emotions on the “Friends of BarnesAIDlona” page on the website. The website is “barnesalonafc.co.uk”.

So, again, it remains for me to thank you for all your support and generosity in the past, present and future, and to thank the sponsors for their time and contribution to the cause. Thank you.

There is one last thing I feel the urge to end on – it is a quote, a mantra James had adopted for his football club Barnesalona FC – and that is:- LIVE IT – LOVE IT – PLAY IT!

It sums up what James was about. The quote can be linked to any facet of life, and I feel it sure was his philosophy on life. Perhaps some of us will take it on.

Perhaps some of us already have.

Cedric Rettie