AS children go back to school – local BBC radio stations across England are asking for sports kit and equipment donations to help them to get fit and active.
The aim is to give children access to kit that they may not otherwise be able to afford or get hold of.
Recent research has found that thousands of children are not getting the recommended 60 minutes of daily activity a day. In July a DCMS select committee report- with data from Sport England reporting that 100,000 fewer children met the recommended level of activity in 2020 than in 2019.
The situation has been compounded by the pandemic, access to facilities and people not being able to afford the kit.
This Saturday 4th September BBC Radio’s Make a Difference launches Kit Out The Nation to help to improve the situation across the UK. “Kit Out the Nation” will run until October and be broadcast on all 39 local BBC radio stations and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The BBC is working with a host of partners around the country and the aim of the campaign is to take in and distribute unwanted, good-condition sports kit and distribute it to children and teenagers who need it most.
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 stations 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 the Nation.”
The Make a Difference campaign is calling on audiences to donate spare kit and equipment, as well as calling on companies and charities willing to offer their premises for donations, collections and distribution of the clean kit.
BACT Head of Community, Matt Hancock provided further details of the campaign: “Here at Burton Albion we are delighted to be part of the BBC’s Make a Difference Kit Out the Nation Campaign.
"It runs for a month, and is aimed at taking in and distributing unwanted, good condition sports kit and getting it to children and teenagers who need it at a time when the pandemic has seen levels of exercise among young people plummet”.
Please bring your donations to us at:
Burton Albion Community Football Centre, Pirelli Stadium, Princess Way, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, DE13 0AR
At the following times:
Thursdays, 1pm – 3pm (From 9th September)
Donations can also be made at the Burton Albion Community Football Centre for Burton Albion FC home fixtures.
If you would like to get involved or have any good condition equipment, that would otherwise go to landfill or simply remain in cupboards, then you can CLICK HERE to get involved.