Nearly 2,000 pieces of sports equipment have been donated to schools and sports organisations in Leeds at a massive kit collection.
More than 30 organisations took part in the event at the John Charles Centre last month, which was the first organised by the Kit Equipment Exchange Partnership (KEEP).
Development Officer for Active Leeds, Libby Cotter, said:
“Over the years it became very apparent to our team that we were working really hard to try and make sport as inclusive as possible but there was still lots of barriers that people were facing.
“One of those that was very apparent was access to kit as we were hosting free community sessions children and adults were turning up in inappropriate kit.
“For example we’d have young people that were turning up and playing football in crocs.”
The items donated at the event ranged from sports tops, trainers, coats, PE kits, table tennis tables and cricket bats and pads.
The pilot event is estimated to have saved 831 kilograms of clothes going to waste, saving the council an approximated £32,000.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “This pilot event was a real success, delivering huge impact to people across our city.
“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.
“As part of our Leeds Ambitions, we are committed to tackling inequalities, and we look forward to this partnership continuing to create change where it’s needed.”
The partnership is ran by Active Leeds and funded by Leeds City Council with groups such as Action for sport, Leeds United Foundation and Leeds Rhinos involved in the project.
It has won multiple awards including the Sustainability Champion of the Year award in 2025 at the Leeds Sports Awards and The Sport Positive Award’s Purpose-led Partnership in 2024.
The partnership has now been nominated for a Compassionate City Award, with the awards being held on November 6.
Libby Cotter added:
“It was a brilliant event, we saw this as a pilot opportunity but when we arrived we had groups waiting for us before we’d even set up and now we’re already looking towards events in the new year.”
