Sport kit and equipment given to schools and community groups in Leeds
Over 3,000 pieces of sport kit and equipment have been given to schools and community groups across Leeds, to help tackle inequality
More than 3000 pieces of sports kit and equipment have been handed out to schools and community groups across Leeds.
The Kit Equipment Exchange Partnership held a distribution event at the John Charles Centre for Sport, to try help tackle inequality.
The event at John Charles Centre for Sport was organised by the Kit Equipment Exchange Partnership (KEEP) to distribute sports kit and equipment to people across the city who may not have access to or be able to afford it.
The pieces included sports tops and bottoms, jackets, trainers and sports bras.
Three hundred pieces were donated after being left behind at the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.
All of the kits have now been picked up by the over 50 organisations and local residents who attended the kit swap and will support a wide range of people in Leeds, including 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.
The council said the event has also stopped 1,496kg of clothes and equipment going to landfill and is estimated to have saved £57,902, based on average cost per item donated.
The kit swap event ran for the first time in 2025.
Jonathon Burn who attended on behalf of Dixons Unity Academy said: “This event has had a hugely positive impact on our community and provided invaluable support for families and young people who need it most.
“We collected a range of sports equipment, including cricket gear and uniforms. This will make a meaningful difference to our students by removing financial barriers that may prevent them from taking part in cricket fixtures and wider sporting opportunities.
“Access to pads, helmets and uniforms ensures that students can participate with confidence, feel included as part of the team, and enjoy the physical and social benefits that sport provides.”
Libby Cotter and Megan Greaves from Active Leeds said: “It was amazing to see partners, community leaders, teachers and local residents all in one room, connecting and supporting each other through donated kit. It’s a great example of what we can achieve together, helping people get active while also doing good for the planet.”
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, said: “It’s great to see the kit exchange event return after the success of the pilot we held last year, with even more pieces of kit donated yet again.
“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.
“Integral to the Leeds Ambitions is the work we do to tackle inequalities and we will continue working together in this partnership to improve access to sport.”