Over 3,400 pieces of sports equipment and clothing have been distributed to schools and community groups across Leeds to ensure financial barriers do not prevent residents from staying active. The Kit Equipment Exchange Partnership (KEEP) held the massive distribution event at the John Charles Centre for Sport, providing essential gear to more than 50 local organisations and residents.
The initiative targeted a wide range of recipients, including children in the care system, LGBTQ+ groups, and individuals attending substance misuse support services. By providing access to items that many families find prohibitively expensive, the project aims to tackle long-standing health inequalities in the city’s most deprived areas.
Support for Leeds schools and community groups
Educational institutions were among the primary beneficiaries of the exchange. Jonathon Burn, representing Dixons Unity Academy, noted that the event provided invaluable support for families who struggle with the rising costs of specialised athletic wear. The academy collected a variety of items, including cricket pads, helmets, and uniforms, which are often a significant financial hurdle for students wishing to join school teams.
This access ensures that students can participate in fixtures with the correct safety equipment and a sense of belonging. The availability of uniforms and gear allows young people to focus on the physical and social benefits of sport rather than worrying about the cost of participation. Beyond schools, the kit will support women and girls through partnerships with organisations like Freedom4Girls, ensuring that specific needs such as sports bras are met.
Environmental and economic savings for the city
The scale of the 2026 event significantly surpassed the pilot program launched in 2025, which saw 2,000 items donated. This year, the partnership successfully diverted 1,496kg of clothing and equipment from landfill. Based on the average cost of the items donated, which included brand-new trainers and high-quality jackets, the event is estimated to have saved the Leeds community approximately £57,902.
A notable portion of the inventory—roughly 300 pieces—consisted of items left behind during the Leeds Marathon held on 10 May. These items, along with donations from major local sports foundations, were processed and sorted to ensure they reached those in need. The partnership highlights a growing trend in the city toward a circular economy, where surplus athletic goods are repurposed rather than discarded.
Collaborative effort to remove sporting barriers
The KEEP partnership brings together a diverse range of local stakeholders, including Active Leeds, Yorkshire Sport Foundation, and Zero Waste Leeds. Professional sports organisations such as the Leeds United Foundation and Leeds Rhinos also contributed to the inventory, alongside community-focused groups like Action for Sport and Wear & Share Leeds.
Libby Cotter and Megan Greaves from Active Leeds described the event as a vital connection point for community leaders and teachers. By centralising the donation and distribution process, the partnership can identify specific gaps in equipment provision across different neighbourhoods. This collaborative approach is a core component of the Leeds Ambitions, a city-wide strategy to improve health outcomes and reduce waste.
Councillor Salma Arif, deputy leader of Leeds City Council, emphasised that no resident should be discouraged from physical activity due to the cost of equipment. The council intends to continue the partnership to ensure that the removal of these financial barriers remains a permanent fixture of the city’s sports strategy. The success of the 2026 swap suggests a sustained appetite for community-led redistribution efforts that benefit both the population and the environment.
Source: Leeds City Council
Source check Local News Verification
This report is based on official data and statements provided by Leeds City Council regarding the KEEP initiative.
- Verified donation figures and landfill diversion weights against council records
- Confirmed participation of KEEP partner organisations
- Cross-referenced event location and date with previous pilot program data
- Source
- Leeds City Council News
- Scope
- Leeds
- Updated
- 2026-05-21 15:34
Source check
Report a trust issue
Send a clear signal to community moderation if the source, facts or context need review.
Article contextPeople & topics4#7
What do you think about this article?
Reader Ideas Newsroom
Have a sharper angle for this topic? Add it to the community idea board and let readers vote it up for editorial review.
/linkComments
8+ useful words can earn +10-60 DP; shorter replies can still publish without DP.