London Youngsters To Benefit From LV=SOS Kit Day At Lord's

London Youngsters To Benefit From LV=SOS Kit Day At Lord's

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Disadvantaged young people from London who have limited or no access to sport are set to receive cricket and rugby kit that will be donated at the next LV= SOS Kit Aid Day at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Sunday 19 June. The day represents the next step in LV= SOS Kit Aid’s ambitious pledge to recycle an incredible 20,000kgs of sporting equipment by the end of the year.

LV= SOS Kit Aid, in partnership with The Lord’s Taverners, provides children in the UK and overseas with recycled cricket and rugby kit. The kit collected at Lord’s will be used to directly benefit the Hitz rugby initiative. In partnership with the Metropolitan Police, the scheme targets young people at risk of exclusion and anti-social behaviour in inner-London estates. Introducing them to tag, touch and contact rugby, Hitz uses the sport as a means to engage, empower and raise aspirations.

The action-packed day will kick off with Middlesex CCC and Kent CCC players donating some of their own kit to the scheme before their LV= County Championship match gets under way. To encourage as many people as possible to donate kit, Middlesex CCC are offering free entry for anyone donating a piece of kit. Young Middlesex Colts cricketers will join staff from LV=’s London offices to sort the kit, before taking part in a special coaching session.

Encouraging people to support the day, Middlesex captain, Neil Dexter, said, “Access to sport is vital for kids everywhere, be it here in London or on the other side of the world. Too many young people around the world don’t enjoy the benefits of sport due to a lack of resources, particularly kit, which makes LV= SOS Kit Aid so important.
 
“It couldn’t be simpler – just give your unwanted kit to LV= SOS Kit Aid rather than taking it to the local rubbish tip and someone, somewhere will be able to play cricket or rugby for the first time.”

David Smith, LV= HR and communications director, said: “Playing sport helps children learn vital life skills and yet many children are unable to participate in sports such as cricket and rugby as they do not have the right kit for it. By redistributing unwanted sports kit among children from disadvantaged communities we can help them access a wider range of sports that they might not have otherwise tried. The regional collection days are great for involving the local community and we look forward to our first London collection day at Lord’s Cricket Ground on 19 June.”

The campaign has the backing of celebrity ambassadors including former England cricket captains Mike Gatting and Allan Lamb, England rugby star James Haskell and England and Bath rugby heroes Gareth Chilcott and Matt Perry.