A teenage boy with enormous feet has been given the biggest shoes ever made by American company Under Armour. Eric Kilburn Jr, from Clarkston, Michigan, USA may only be 14 but his feet measure in at a gigantic size 22 which is an average size 17 in UK shoes.
The 6ft 10 high school student has struggled for years to find shoes that fit, with those he can just about squeeze into hurting his feet, the Mirror reports. However, his 'life was changed' when sporting brand Under Armour heard about Eric's problem and reached out with an offer to help.
The excited teen jumped at the opportunity to receive his own custom made sneakers and Under Armour's Robb Cropp, senior director of Footwear Development, met with the Kilburn family on March 26. A 3D rendering of Eric's feet was taken at the meeting and a mould was created which would go on to be used to make a pair of shoes 'from the ground up'.
The teen now has a six to eight week wait for his specially made shoes and Under Armour have also offered to make him cleats just in time for the football season. Eric Jr.’s mother, said Under Armour have changed her son’s life by reaching out and being willing to help him.
An Under Armour rep confirmed the trainer will be the largest pair it has ever made. He said: " It’s the right thing to do to help out.
"We wanted to make sure that Eric had cleats to be able to play and perform on the field and then also I knew we need to make him some shoes that he could wear around town and just do what every person should be able to do.”
Kilburn said: " I just feel like a huge weight has been dropped off of my shoulders. This was the first step in getting me some shoes.”
The teen's mum Rebecca Kilburn now hopes to start a non profit organisation to help other families that are having similar issues. After setting up a Facebook page called the 'Big Shoe Network' with a family friend, it has already accumulated over 1,500 members.
The family have also raised more than $23,000 on GoFundMe with the money to be used to create a fund account for Kilburn Jr. to purchase suitable shoes and clothes in his size throughout adulthood.
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