Creative agency Brothers & Sisters has launched a Nike-sponsored biographical football shirt for Grenfell Athletic FC, made from garments worn by survivors of the Grenfell Tower disaster.
Each shirt includes a cut of fabric surrounding the club badge donated by a member of the local community. The badges also use NFC technology that allows the club’s fans to access a video informing them about the shirt’s donated fabric.
Perhaps the most heart-wrenching story is that of Nick Burton, a former Grenfell Tower resident who donated the shirt he was wearing on the night he and his wife were rescued from the 19th floor of the tower. His wife passed away in the hospital, becoming the fire’s last fatality.
Alongside the kits, a campaign film titled ‘Fabric of the Community’ was released, directed by Ashley Francis-Roy of Missing Link Films.
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Brothers & Sisters founder and ECD and Grenfell Athletic trustee, Andy Fowler said: “The shirt is a living and breathing historical storytelling device that uses technology to unlock deeply intimate, personal stories from this very special community.
“That Nick would donate the shirt he wore when he and his wife escaped the fire is mind-blowing. Storytelling is such a powerful device, and we are humbled that these people have committed to sharing their stories.”
Other donors include former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson, former Arsenal player Héctor Bellerín and a firefighter from the London Fire Brigade, who was inspired to join the profession after witnessing the events of 14 June 2017.
Grenfell Athletic founder, Rupert Taylor added: “Our club was born out of a desire to heal and bring our community ever closer through the power of football. We’re so thankful for every person who donated their fabrics and bravely shared their stories, and we hope the project offers an additional avenue for healing and a platform for showing how inspirational our community truly is.
“The hearts and souls of the people of Grenfell are woven into Grenfell Athletic’s DNA, and now they’ll be woven into the club’s shirts, too.”
