Canterbury is launching its ‘Fair Game’ initiative, which aims to provide a free PE kit for every school child in the UK to support struggling families during the cost of living crisis.
To kickstart the campaign, Canterbury is donating £100,000 worth of sports kit to UK schools through charity partner In Kind Direct.
The rugby brand is also calling on others in the sportswear world to come together and donate to In Kind Direct to ultimately kit out every school child in the UK.
Levelling the playing field
With inflation set to hit a 40-year high and the average school uniform for secondary school children already costing £337 per year, many parents are struggling to afford school uniforms or PE kits for their children. Children aren’t able to participate in PE lessons or school sports without sports kits, which can have both physical and mental repercussions.
Research shows that four in 10 children leaving primary school are at increased risk of serious health conditions as obesity levels increase, whilst after the Coronavirus pandemic, 60% of children reported experiencing feelings of loneliness. Currently almost one-third of children in the UK do not do at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day.
However, studies by Sport England show that children who regularly take part in sport are happier, more confident and motivated and more trusting of others, which is particularly true amongst girls and those from less affluent backgrounds.
Kitting out the nation
Canterbury hopes to provide some relief for struggling families impacted by the cost of living crisis and is calling on brands to join the cause.
Jack Richardson, Vice President, Canterbury said: “We believe that everybody should have access to all sport, but the cost of living crisis is causing families to make uncomfortable decisions about what they can afford. For those who are struggling, buying a brand-new PE kit may not be an option. Canterbury’s ‘Fair Game’ initiative intends to make sure that every school child in the UK can continue to experience all the incredible benefits of sport, preserving a generation of future players that could otherwise be lost. That’s why we’re calling on brands and businesses to back our initiative to donate free PE kit to schools in the UK, so every child has the chance to find and play a sport they love.”
Rosanne Gray, CEO of In Kind Direct added: “We’re so pleased that Canterbury is committing to support In Kind Direct through the Fair Game campaign, at what is such a critical time for families across the UK. Physical exercise is so important in maintaining good mental health and keeping active helps children’s long-term development. We know that there’s an increasing need for sports kits, so this donation will allow us to help even more schools and support more families who are struggling during the cost-of-living crisis.”
Brands and businesses can get involved by donating much needed sportswear and equipment to In Kind Direct, who distribute products to a network of pre-approved schools, community groups and other charitable organisations across the UK. Find out more here.
Schools, community groups or other charitable organisations who are interested in receiving the donated kits can register here to become part of In Kind Direct’s network.
