A MUCH-LOVED football merchandise shop in North Wales has raised nearly £2,000 for charity by selling self-designed Ukraine shirts.

Communities across the region have rallied together to support those hit the worst by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Spirit of 58 takes its name from Wales’ one-and-only appearance at the 1958 World Cup Finals in Sweden when they reached the quarter-finals before losing to a goal from the 17-year-old Pele.

Based on Bala High Street, the business has become synonymous with Wales' national football team and its supporters over the years.

In particular through its red, yellow and green bucket hats, flags and more which are often seen donned by the 'Red Wall' of fans at matches.

Run by Tim Williams since 2010, Spirit of 58's first t-shirt was launched that year to coincide with Wales' qualifying campaign for the European Championships due to be played in 2012.

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Tim himself is an avid follower of the national team and has been travelling to away matches since 1991. He is also a die-hard Wrexham AFC supporter.But, over the past few weeks, his attention, like so many others around North Wales, has turned to the Ukraine.

In order to lend a helping hand, Tim set about designing his own football-style Ukraine shirt in yellow and blue.

This has now raised a total of £1,875 for the Teams4U charity which works on improving the lives of children around the world.

The Leader:

PIC: Spirit of 58's Ukraine shirts boxed and ready to go.

Speaking to The Leader, Tim said: "It just goes to show that the Welsh football supporting community do get behind worthwhile charities. We are all just trying to do our bit to help.

"I have to say a big thank you to those who bought the shirts, but also to Macron Wrexham who helped me out by producing the shirts.

"The first batch of shirts sold out within the hour. The demand is still there though and so I'm not ruling out putting more up for pre-order soon."

In early 2020, Tim raised £2,500 for NHS charities across Wales by designing 'Diolch NHS' shirts.

He raised the money through the sale of  the shirts, special NHS-themed football memorabilia and from concerts at Welsh internationals in Cardiff which he stages with Alarm frontman Mike Peters.

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The 50-year-old was inspired to help the NHS charities including Awyr Las, the charity for the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, by his late father’s three-year battle with cancer.

He also helped design Wrexham AFC's green away shirt - a nod to the club’s history and based on the colour worn by the club from 1904 to 1921.

Tim says that later this year it is hoped - much like in the pre-Covid days - an event/gig can be set up to help raise money for Ukraine. He says this will be aimed, in particular, at the children who have had to flee their homes.

He says he has even had one shirt order from Ukraine this week.

He added: "I've had a lad from a Vespa Scooter Club in Ukraine order a shirt. I follow him on Instagram and they are doing some great work via the scooters over there - delivering medicine, clothes and more to those who need them.

"I can't currently get the shirt to him though as they aren't taking parcels in the standard way in the Ukraine for obvious reasons, but I am in touch with him."