On the day he was dubbed “the Lionel Messi of squash” following his amazing trick shot in America, James Willstrop joined the launch at Canary Wharf of a major kit recycling scheme designed to help thousands of youngsters to take up sport.
KIT RECYCLING SCHEME AIMS TO GET 35,000 YOUNGSTERS PLAYING SPORT IN 2013
The ground-breaking sports kit recycling scheme, LV=SOS Kit Aid, has launched an appeal to help give 35,000 disadvantaged young people from the UK and abroad the chance to participate in grassroots sports in 2013. The campaign target was unveiled today in Canary Wharf, London where squash was announced as the third sport to support the kit donation initiative.
LV=SOS Kit Aid, which has the backing of both Prime Minister, David Cameron, and Sports Minister, Hugh Robertson, aims to make a positive and tangible impact on young people’s lives by removing one of the key barriers to sports participation. The scheme encourages schools, clubs, brands and the public to donate unwanted and second hand sports kit to give young people of all abilities and backgrounds better access to sport.
Representatives from each of the three sports currently supporting LV=SOS Kit Aid – rugby, cricket and squash – attended the launch. They included British No.2 and World No. 4 squash player James Willstrop, England women’s cricket player Holly Colvin and former Welsh rugby international and British Lions player Graham Price. Children from the Sir John Cass Primary School in Tower Hamlets were at the launch to receive sports kit from the scheme, as well as a squash master class from James Willstrop.
The donation target, which equates to around 35 tonnes of kit and equipment, has been launched with school sport very much in the spotlight. After Sport England reported a decrease in sports participation among young people aged 16 – 19, the Government is set to shortly announce major new funding for school sport.
James Willstrop, commented: “It’s fantastic to hear that squash is joining the successful LV= SOS Kit Aid programme. I’m sure I’m no different to other squash and sports players in having an abundance of kit lying around that I don’t use anymore and it’s a simple yet effective idea to give it to kids so they have the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from playing sport.”
To find out how to make a kit donation to LV=SOS Kit Aid, visit www.lvsoskitaid.com