KeyboardKitty Posted November 22 Posted November 22 In a poignant tribute to resilience and remembrance, Grenfell Athletic FC has unveiled a new football kit made from fabrics donated by individuals closely connected to the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Partnering with Nike and Kitlocker, the club has aptly named the kit 'Fabric of the Community,' symbolizing the enduring strength and unity of those impacted by the devastating fire on June 14, 2017. Central to the kit’s design is a bespoke patch of fabric surrounding the club crest, with each piece carrying a deeplypersonal story. Among the 30 fabric patches incorporated, four come from garments worn by survivors as they fled the inferno that claimed 72 lives. One especially moving contribution came from Nick Burton, whose wife was the final victim of the fire. Donating the shirt he wore that night, Nick shared: "This is one of the only connections I have to my home. I feel that it’s time to let go and now it will live on as part of the fabric of the community— the community that is everything to us." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Grenfell Athletic (@grenfellathletic_fc) Adding to the emotional impact, each shirt is embedded with an NFC chip behind the badge. When scanned with a smartphone, the chip links to a video chronicling the stories behind the donated fabrics. This innovative feature ensures that the memories and experiences of the Grenfell community are preserved, while inviting a broader audience to engage with the project’s profound meaning. The initiative has attracted support from notable figures. Louis Tomlinson, formerly of One Direction, contributed a cherished Doncaster Rovers shirt, while former Arsenal player Héctor Bellerín donated a match-worn shirt from his time at the club, continuing his longstanding support for the Grenfell community. Bellerín had previously pledged over £19,000 to assist victims in the fire’s aftermath. Another deeply meaningful contribution came from a firefighter who was inspired to join the London Fire Brigade after witnessing the tragedy firsthand. The project, spearheaded by Grenfell Athletic founder Rupert Taylor, demonstrates the healing power of football in bringing communities together. Seven years after the fire left countless individuals displaced and grieving, this initiative stands as a powerful tribute to the unyielding spirit and solidarity of the Grenfell community. More than 2,000 shirts have been sold, with proceeds going directly toward local support efforts. The new kits will debut during the 2024/25 season, proudly worn by Grenfell Athletic’s men’s and women’s teams. Far more than a uniform, these kits represent hope, healing, and community resilience—a tangible reminder of the strength forged in the face of profound loss. To support Grenfell Athletic and own a piece of this remarkable story, the 2024/25 home shirt is available for purchase here. https://www.versus.uk.com/articles/grenfell-athletics-new-kit-is-made-from-fabric-that-survived-the-grenfell-fire https://hypebeast.com/2024/11/grenfell-athletic-emotionally-charged-football-shirt https://lbbonline.com/news/brothers-sisters-launch-nike-football-shirt-made-from-fabric-that-survived-the-grenfell-fire Image: Grenfell Athletic Quote
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