Everyone Active, which runs North Solihull Sports Centre and Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, in partnership with Solihull Council, is helping local youngsters with sports kit by supporting the BBC’s Kit Out the Nation campaign.
The aim of the campaign – which runs until Saturday 2 October - 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, Everyone Active will have drop off boxes at North Solihull Sports Centre and Tudor Grange Leisure Centre during opening hours. Kit will then be distributed to eligible local schools and clubs.
Deputy Leader of Solihull Council Cllr Karen Grinsell said: “I am really pleased that staff at our leisure centres are supporting the BBC’s campaign to help local youngsters with sports kit and I hope local people will get involved.
“Lots of our youngsters will have outgrown last year’s kit – so this is a great opportunity to sort through sports kit and bring it along to our leisure centres where it will be put to good use. It could make a real difference in getting some young people motivated and active, which will in turn help to improve their physical and mental health.”
Tudor Grange Leisure Centre Manager, Nick Stowey, added: “We are very proud to support this initiative and hope it helps children and teenagers from all backgrounds in Solihull 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.”
For more information on Kit Out the Nation and to find Everyone Active centres where you can donate, visit everyoneactive.com/promotion/kit-out-the-nation/