A pilot event held at John Charles Centre for Sport last week saw 1890 pieces of kit donated, to help tackle inequality in sports.
The event was organised by the Kit Equipment Exchange Partnership (KEEP), which is made up of several organisations including Active Leeds, Yorkshire Sport Foundation, Zero Waste Leeds, Leeds United Foundation, Action for Sport, Freedom4Girls and Run For All. The event saw over 30 organisations attend to collect items.
The partnership distributes unwanted sports kit and equipment to people across the city who may not have access to or be able to afford it. Through removing the barrier, the aim is to give more people the opportunity to play sports and be physically active.
Image: Leeds City Council
After this event, pieces were donated to primary and secondary schools, specialist inclusive learning centres, community organisations, and parents who were attending a sports day at the centre.
The kit included sports tops and bottoms, jackets, trainers, sports bras, period pants and swimwear. This will support a wide range of people in Leeds, such as children and young people, looked after children, women and girls, LGBTQ+ groups, people attending substance misuse groups and people living in the most deprived areas.
It is also estimated that the event saved 831kg of equipment from going to waste, and saved the council over £32,000.
KEEP was recently nominated for a Compassionate City Award, which celebrates the positive and compassionate work individuals and organisations do to make a difference to their communities in Leeds. The awards will be held on 6 November.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “This pilot event was a real success, delivering huge impact to people across our city.
“No one should be put off from playing sports or being active because they can’t afford to buy the right equipment. KEEP is doing a great job in removing that barrier for people, whilst also making sure no kit or equipment is going to waste.
“As part of our Leeds Ambitions, we are committed to tackling inequalities, and we look forward to this partnership continuing to create change where it’s needed.”
