Free sports kits handed out to children in Hartlepool
It's part of the 'Kit Out' campaign in the town
Organisations in Hartlepool are handing out free sports kits this summer to help in areas with deprivation.
The 'Kit Out' project is a collaboration between Street Games UK, Street Games North East, Hartlepool Sports and ReLoved Clothing during these six weeks holiday.
Natalie Frankland, founder of ReLoved Clothing, said: "We've collectively got together and so far we've had nearly 400 kilos of sport kits donated in about three to four weeks. It's been a huge turnaround and what we've been doing is we've been giving that sports kit out at free sports events ran by Hartlepool Sports through the six week holidays.
"The other aspect that we've looked at is, particularly in Hartlepool where we do have high areas of deprivation, children aren't accessing physical activity and accessing clubs because they can't afford the kit. If there's a requirement that comes with joining a club then they'll need a kit and we've been able to provide that kit so far.
"It's been absolutely amazing. The kids are coming over asking how much the sports kits are and we tell them it's free of charge. There's Hartlepool United Football Club, Harts of Hartlepool United FC gave us loads of kits, we've had kits from the rugby clubs, kits from people who are doing different sports, organisations, schools and colleges.
"What we've been doing is going down to these sporting events and giving out free football, basketball, rugby free sports kits to kids who need it, who want to partake in physical activity and it's just been great because we've had football boots, we've had girls kits, boys kits and it's just been great because the kids were so shocked and parents were over the moon.
"One of the events that I've been along to was free football at Rossmere Park and during those football sessions, the kids were coming over asking to try something on and we told them to take it as it's free. Their faces were fantastic."