Global honour for pioneering Leeds sports kit recycling partnership

A groundbreaking Leeds City Council-led partnership tackling inequality through sport has been honoured by winning a prestigious international award.

The Leeds Equipment and Kit Exchange Partnership (LEKEP), created by Leeds City Council’s Active Leeds service, sees recycled or unwanted sports kit distributed to deprived communities in the city.

A first such partnership of its kind, the innovative project addresses inequality through supporting active lifestyles and also helps to tackle the climate crisis through recycling and significantly reducing waste, aiding the city’s environmental and net zero aims.

The work of the partnership was recognised on a global level last week by winning the ‘Purpose-led Partnership’ category at the prestigious Sport Positive Awards 2024 in London, seeing off international competition from major projects around the world to win the prize.

The Leeds Equipment and Kit Exchange Partnership (LEKEP) is made up of: Leeds City Council, Yorkshire Sport Foundation, Zero Waste Leeds, Action For Sport, Run for all, Leeds United Foundation, The Recovery Runners, Leeds Dock Run Club, Leeds City College, LS-TEN Skate Park, Pendle Sports, British Cycling and Yorkshire Cricket Foundation.

Working together to maximise all available assets, the partnership responds to the needs of diverse communities in Leeds to provide appropriate sports attire and remove the stigma associated with recycled kit.

The partnership in Leeds was initially inspired by the BBC’s ‘Kit out the Nation’ campaign which ran in 2021, and has developed in the years since with more than 20,000 items of kit recycled or reused by community groups in the city.

As well as encouraging healthy active lifestyles, the project also helps to reduce landfill through a more environmentally-sustainable approach, supporting local organisations in creating their own kit donation schemes, reducing waste, and creating a community-driven circular economy promoting inclusive growth.

Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture Councillor Salma Arif said:

“This is a tremendous honour for the Leeds Equipment and Kit Exchange Partnership (LEKEP) to be recognised on an international level in this way, and we thank everyone involved who should be very proud.

“We are committed to tackling inequalities, removing barriers and addressing the climate crisis and this project shows what can be achieved through working together to make a difference. We look forward to the partnership continuing to go from strength to strength and would encourage anyone interested in getting involved to come and talk to us.”

Chief executive of Yorkshire Sport Foundation Nigel Harrison said:

“We're proud to share this award with our incredible partners across the city. This project shows the strength in working together to address inequalities, stop waste, and remove a barrier to people playing sport or being physically active.

"The right kit and equipment comes at a cost, and this partnership is ensuring that more people in Leeds aren't prevented from starting something new or continuing something they love because they can't afford a pair of trainers or a piece of sports equipment.

“One of the best things about this recognition is that it will raise even more awareness of the initiative. With the continued commitment of the organisations involved and the support of the people of Leeds, the kit exchange partnership can make a positive impact on even more lives."

Co-founder and director of Action for Sport Clive Michallat said:

“Action for Sport has thoroughly enjoyed being part of such a great scheme and partnership. To work alongside a lot of organisations who bring their life experiences and skillsets to the table can be powerful, and in this case most certainly is. We look forward to being part of the team that can develop and grow the Leeds Equipment and Kit Exchange Partnership.”

Co-director of Zero Waste Leeds Gill Coupland said:

“We’re absolutely delighted to be part of this partnership. The award is a recognition of the incredible things that can be achieved when there is a determination to work together over the long term and to pool funding to deliver really impactful results. Leeds is a generous city in so many ways.”

The next public meeting of the partnership takes place in Leeds at CATCH in Harehills on Thursday 14 November at 6pm, which will include a presentation by Sport England Environmental Sustainability Strategic Lead Denise Ludlam. Tickets are free to attend via Leeds Equipment and Kit Exchange meeting Tickets, Thu 14 Nov 2024 at 18:00 | Eventbrite.

The Sport Positive Awards celebrates people and projects using the power of sport to tackle major issues including the climate and biodiversity crises, and environmental/climate justice.

For more information on the Sport Positive Awards visit Sport Positive Awards 2024 – Leading the charge on using the power of sport to tackle some of the biggest issues of our time – the climate and biodiversity crises and environmental/climate justice. (sportpositivesummit.com).

ENDS 

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