Malta Tourism Authority's sponsorship of Sheffield United is to enable one of the city's best known charities, Whirlow Hall Farm, to appear on the branding of the football club's red and white stripes.

The rebranding will take place for the Blades vital last league home game of the season against promotion rivals Swansea City.



In addition, the Malta Tourism Authority are providing the opportunity for 10 children from the city to visit the island in a special exchange trip which will see 10 Maltese come to Sheffield where they will be hosted by Whirlow Hall Farm.


Local newspaper The Star is backing the initiative and will be launching an appeal to its readers to nominate deserving children, up to the age of 11, to visit Malta where they will be enjoying a full programme of visits, events and activities across the idyllic Maltese islands.


The move to support the farm - an educational trust working largely with inner city children and young people with special needs and disabilities - and the offer of a special trip for ten of those same youngsters could not have come at a better time for the farm charity.


Whirlow Hall Farm Trust, which was founded 30 years ago, has seen nearly 300,000 children visit the classroom in the countryside on a daily or residential basis.

Joan Ward, head of fundraising at Whirlow Hall Farm, said: "Malta Tourism Authority's decision to let Sheffield United wear shirts with our name on is great exposure for the charity - particularly as we approach our 30th anniversary year." 



"We rely on charitable donations and, as has been well publicised, we are in desperate need of cash and I hope that this shirt sponsorship deal helps raise the profile of the charity so that the city of Sheffield can benefit from the farm for many more years to come."