Sainsbury’s customers have helped to donate £6.8 million worth of Active Kids equipment and experiences across Kent and Medway Local Education Authorities since the scheme launched in 2005.

Local schools and groups including are celebrating after receiving this year’s Active Kids equipment. 

Miers Court Primary School and Wentworth Primary School were the top collecting organisations in Medway and Kent LEAs this year, collecting 344,365 and 575,176 vouchers respectively.                                       

Sainsbury’s customers collected vouchers in-store between 30th January and 22nd May, earning 1 voucher for every £10 spent. Schools, groups and clubs including Fairview Community Primary School, who collected 332,500 vouchers and Swalecliffe Primary School who collected 474,830 vouchers have recently received their order of this year’s equipment.

Sainsbury’s Larkfield Store Manager Steve Surridge said: “We’re looking forward to congratulating our customers and participating schools, groups and clubs. The scheme really has grown over the last nine years and our customers have played a massive part in ensuring we continue to encourage all children, regardless of ability, to lead healthier, more active lifestyles”.

The desire by young people to get active and follow in the footsteps of their sporting heroes is echoed by a new survey of young people from the Youth Sport Trust, a partner of the retailer, as part of its Lead Your Generation campaign. The results show that:

• Nearly two thirds (64%) of 11-18 year olds are still inspired by Team GB’s performance at London 2012;
• Well over half (60%) believe schools and young people should play a leading role in delivering an Olympic and Paralympic legacy; and
• More than two thirds (67%) believe taking part in PE helps them perform better in school

The scheme has seen a surge in interest for sporting equipment and experiences following last summer’s games with nearly 52,000 schools, clubs and groups now signed up to benefit from their membership to Sainsbury’s Active Kids. This year alone, the scheme has delivered over £13 million worth of equipment and experiences to schools, clubs and organisations, up £5 million on the previous year. Meanwhile, £136 million worth of equipment and experiences has been donated to schools, groups and clubs across the UK since it launched in 2005.