Northampton Town are supporting the BBC Kit Out the Nation appeal.
‘Kit Out the Nation’ is a month long Make a Difference campaign (Saturday 4th September – 2nd October) aimed at taking in and distributing unwanted, good condition sports kit and passing it on to children and teenagers who need it.
The Cobblers have kick started the campaign by donating 22 playing shirts and the club store at Sixfields will act as a drop off point for supporters who wish to drop off their kit for the campaign from 10am to 5pm each Monday to Friday.
Phillip Smith, CEO at the Northampton Town Community Trust said “We are pleased to partner with the BBC Make a Difference campaign this month to help raise awareness and encourage more people to donate unused kit to those who might need it. A lack of the right kit and equipment can be a huge barrier to participating in sport and physical activity, but a barrier that can be overcome.
"At Northampton Town we are committed to playing our part in ensuring people of all ages have access to sport and physical activity to help improve health and wellbeing and enhance life chances. Whether its an old pair of football boots or a full team kit, we encourage Cobblers fans, local teams and the wider public to get involved and bring items down to donate at the collection point at the stadium to help make a real difference to those who need them most."
In a recent report, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee published data from Sport England which showed 100,000 fewer children met the recommended level of activity in 2020 than in 2019 and it was "of significant concern."
One issue is around access to sport and exercise because of the affordability of kit, and the situation has been compounded by the pandemic.
Also, good condition equipment, that would otherwise go to landfill or simply remain in cupboards, could get an extended life and help a young person get active.
So, please check out your cupboards, sort out the bedrooms and if you’ve got unwanted sports equipment help us get them to children and young adults.