SCHOOLS have benefitted after a company was left with 100 footballs a customer didn’t need.

The Thirsk Area School Sports Partnership, in North Yorkshire, a Government initiative to raise PE and sports standards, was given the footballs by local company, Automation 4 Limited.

Following the completion of a project by the Thirsk company to supply the technology systems for an interactive soccer visitor attraction, the customer asked Automation 4 to dispose of 100 footballs into the community.

As a new business to the Thirsk area, Automation 4 decided to kick off a community involvement programme by giving the footballs to local schools.

Tim Groves, managing director of Automation 4, said: “As a new business to the Thirsk area, we really wanted to connect with our local community and this seemed like an ideal way to forge links with our schools. We hope they are well-received by all the school children and that we see some rising stars coming through the soccer ranks.”

Joanna Marston, partnership development manager for the Thirsk Area Schools Sports Partnership, said: “We are delighted to receive the free footballs from Automation 4 Limited and it is really gratifying to know that businesses like this want to support the ethos and work of the School Sports Partnership.

“It is great for us to have industry links in a variety of areas and really strengthens community cohesion in Thirsk.”

The School Sports Partnership, which works with about 60 schools across North Yorkshire, will distribute ten balls per partner school on a first come, first served basis.