Local leisure provider Everyone Active is playing its part in helping get sports kit to youngsters, by supporting local BBC radio stations ‘Make a Difference’ – ‘Kit Out The Nation’ campaign.
Everyone Active, which runs over 200 leisure centres in partnership with more than 60 local authorities, will take part in the month-long initiative from Saturday, September 4 until Saturday, October 2.
The BBC is working with a host of partners around the country and the aim of the campaign is to take in unwanted, good-condition sports kit and equipment and distribute it to children and teenagers who need it.
The scheme comes in the wake of Sport England data published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee in July, which showed 100,000 fewer children met the recommended level of activity in 2020 than in 2019.
A contributing issue is the access to sport and exercise because of the affordability of kit, a situation compounded by the pandemic.
As part of its commitment to encouraging activity in the local community, award-winning provider Everyone Active will be staging collections at over 70 centres. Kit will then be distributed to eligible local schools and clubs.
Everyone Active’s group development director, Ben Beevers, said: “We are very proud to support this initiative and hope it helps children and teenagers from all backgrounds in the UK to get active.
“We would encourage members of the community to dig out unwanted kit and equipment and drop it off at their nearest participating Everyone Active centre.
“It is so easy to take part and will make a big difference to the lives of young people in the local area.”
Chris Burns, Head of Audio and Digital for BBC England said “Make a Difference’ has been a phenomenal success during lockdown and I am proud that all 39 local BBC radio station will be involved in helping young people get access to sports kit and equipment they need to get fit and stay healthy through ‘Kit Out he Nation’.”
To find out more about how to get involved and which Everyone Active sites are participating, visit www.everyoneactive.com/promotion/kit-out-the-nation/
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