Date posted 13 Sep 2021
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Better the charitable social enterprise that operates leisure and sport centres across Croydon on behalf of the council has partnered with BBC Radio London on a new charitable campaign ‘Kit Out the Nation’.  The initiative aims to provide good quality, used sports clothing and equipment to children and young people in need.

Donations can be made directly at collection points within Better-operated leisure centres, gyms and libraries across London.  These will then be distributed to local schools and to the children who will benefit most.

Nick Englefield from Better's New Addington Leisure & Community Centre said: “We know that for some children and young people one of the barriers to participating in sport is the affordability of sports kit.  The situation has been compounded by the pandemic and this is our chance to help improve the situation.”

“We’re calling on local residents, teams and clubs to clear out their cupboards and if they find any sports clothing or equipment that is in good condition but no longer needed that they make a donation.”

The Kit Out the Nation initiative has other benefits too – it's recycling on a grand scale. Good condition equipment and clothing that would otherwise go to landfill gets an extended life; another great reason to support the initiative.

Your local collection points in Croydon are New Addington Leisure & Community Centre and Thornton Heath Leisure Centre. So now there's no excuse not to have a clear out! Your generous kit and equipment donations will be distributed to schools in your local community and will support so many children and young adults to enjoy the benefits of exercise.

Data from Sport England published earlier this year shows levels of physical activity are falling. 100,000 fewer children met the recommended level of activity in 2020 than in 2019.

For further information on the Kit Out the Nation appeal and how to get involved visit: https://www.better.org.uk/kit-out-the-nation