From the school playgrounds of Southampton to the dusty tracks of Malawi, the story of brothers Steve and Peter Fleming is one of sporting passion blossoming into a life-changing mission. 

Growing up locally, their childhood was filled with the familiar joys of kicking a football around the garden on Radway Road, chasing after the ball on Southampton Common, and honing their skills on the school playing fields. 

These early years, attending Bellemoor School - now Upper Shirley High - and Taunton College, forged not only a strong sibling bond but also a shared love for sport that would eventually lead them on an extraordinary path.

In 2005, this passion took a remarkable turn. Steve and Peter, then 27 and 23 respectively, embarked on what seemed like an almost unbelievable challenge - to kick a football 250 miles across the African nation of Malawi. 

This wasn't just a whimsical adventure; it was a determined fundraising effort with the initial goal of supporting an AIDS orphanage in Malawi. 

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With their friend Dave Light forming a crucial part of their support crew, the brothers set off on a ten-day journey that would test their physical and mental endurance to the limit.  

Yet determination, fueled by the desire to make a difference, saw them through. They surpassed their initial fundraising target, raising £15,000 for their chosen cause.  

However, the impact of their Malawian adventure went far beyond the money raised.

Witnessing firsthand the realities of poverty and the challenges faced by communities in Malawi left a lasting impression on Steve and Peter. They realised that their love for football could be a powerful tool for more sustainable and widespread social change. 

This realisation led directly to the founding of their charity, Kick4Life, in November 2005. 

The official launch of Kick4Life in 2006 fittingly took place at St Mary's Stadium.

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While their initial kick took place in Malawi, Steve and Peter strategically chose the neighboring country of Lesotho as the primary focus for Kick4Life's operations.. 

Lesotho, at the time, faced significant challenges with HIV prevalence and poverty, but also possessed a deep passion for football. The brothers saw an opportunity to use the unifying power of the sport to engage young people and address critical social issues.  

Over the years, Kick4Life has grown into a remarkable organisation, reaching more than 250,000 children and young people in Lesotho. Their initiatives range from health education and life-skills training to supporting vulnerable girls and creating pathways to education and employment. 

They even established Kick4Life FC, recognised as the world's first social enterprise football club.  

The impact of Steve and Peter's vision, born from a childhood love of football in Southampton and ignited by an extraordinary challenge in Malawi, has been widely recognised. 

In the King's Birthday Honours List of 2024, both brothers were appointed Members of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for their services to Sport for Social Change in Lesotho.

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Even though Steve now resides in St Neots and Peter in Cape Town, their connection to Southampton remains strong, with regular visits to see family and friends. The legacy of those two young lads kicking a ball around in Southampton continues to inspire, proving that the beautiful game can indeed change the world.