Stockport County Community Trust has launched a major initiative to provide free PE kits to primary schools across the borough, aiming to help children engage in sports by easing the financial burden on families.
The Kits By County project, backed by Stockport County’s owner Mark Stott, aims to supply 12,500 kits to pupils most in need over the next 12 months. The initiative kicked off this term with the distribution of 3,000 PE kits, funded by Stott, to schools across Stockport.
The first batch of kits, which includes a polo shirt, shorts, joggers, and a sweatshirt, were delivered by Stockport County players in two Mercedes-Benz eVito vans, provided by LSH Auto. The vans were donated to the Trust to support its community projects.
The initiative is designed to ensure no child is excluded from participating in physical education (PE) due to financial barriers. With the rising cost of living impacting many families, the provision of free PE kits aims to promote physical activity, instilling in children a lifelong commitment to health, determination, and resilience.
At the project’s launch, Stockport County players Lewis Bate, Louie Barry, Ethan Pye, and Lewis Fiorini joined the Community Trust team at Edgeley Park to help sort and pack the 3,000 kits for delivery to schools. The players’ involvement didn’t stop there, as Jay Mingi and Bate also visited Cheadle Heath Primary School to hand out kitbags and speak to pupils about the benefits of PE lessons.
Support from the Community
Stockport County Community Trust’s CEO, Alison Warwood, highlighted the importance of the initiative. She said, “PE is a crucial part of a child’s education, teaching more than just games and exercise. It promotes health, determination, and resilience. No child should be prevented from participating in sport simply because they don’t have the right kit, and Kits By County aims to tackle that.”
Warwood thanked Trutex, the school-wear manufacturer that supplied the kits at a significant discount, and LSH Auto for providing the electric vans that delivered the kits. She also praised Stockport County players for their enthusiastic support.
“It was fantastic to see the players get behind the initiative. Their help made a real difference during what was a busy but fulfilling week,” Warwood added.
Local Schools Embrace the Project
Cheadle Heath Primary School was one of the first to benefit from the Kits By County initiative. Headteacher Christine Meekley expressed her gratitude, saying, “The commitment Stockport County has shown to ensuring no child is left behind in PE, regardless of their background, is amazing. This initiative will undoubtedly improve life chances, and we are proud to be associated with such a community-driven club.”
Meekley also noted the excitement among pupils who received their new kits and met the Stockport County players. “The children were thrilled to meet Jay and Lewis, and they will wear their new kits with pride and a sense of belonging,” she said.
The Community Trust is now working to raise enough funds to meet its ambitious goal of providing 12,500 PE kits to local primary school children by 2025.
