With the support of World Rugby, UK charity SOS Kit Aid (https://www.soskitaid.com/) distributes second-hand and un-used new rugby kits to disadvantaged youngsters all over the globe.
But SOS Kit Aid is more than just a charity which recycles sports kit. Through their network of relationships, they harness the power of rugby and sport to make a positive impact on young people’s lives through sporting activities that promote healthy lifestyles, life skills and friendship.On top of that, they help protect the environment by saving valuable UK landfill sites from vast amounts of unwanted kit and reducing harmful Co2 emissions.
Here’s the numbers:-
• £6m of kit donated to disadvantaged young people
• Over 700 deliveries made around the world
• Benefitting a third of a million young people
• Saving over 1500 tonnes of CO2 emissions
The charity was founded back in 2001, by rugby dad, John Broadfoot, who, whilst during a trip to Romania witnessed a smiling 8 year old boy running with the ball under one arm, whilst he used the other arm to hold up his shorts. John wanted to do something about this.
John knew that his sons had several pairs of boots and other kit lying around at home, and so, to test out the potential, he collected kit from ten schools, to see how much was available on a wider scale. The test was an outstanding success and so SOS Kit Aid was born.
In December 2019, John Broadfoot the CEO of UK charity SOS KIT Aid delivered 129 boxes of rugby kit to the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Ten of these were subsequently requested by and sent on to the British High Commission in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Steve Moore, Resident British Commissioner in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, said: “With disruptions to sporting and other activities following the outbreak of COVID-19, our donation of the rugby kit was put on hold. It was, however, resurrected recently following a meeting I had with Mr Leonard Matthews, President of SVG Rugby Union”.
Mr Moore hopes that the kit will benefit SVG’s rugby teams – including in the forthcoming seven-a-side rugby tournament; will be used to inspire young children that may wish to take up the game; and will help to promote a healthy lifestyle.