Gainsborough-based learning centre Riverside Training is donating more than a hundred pairs of sports shoes to local children as part of their recent appeal.
Thanks to the support of six West Lindsey District Council (WLDC) councillors, the appeal managed to raise a fantastic £1,100.
The funds had allowed the Riverside Training team to purchase more than 150 pairs of sports shoes for children across Gainsborough to wear for PE lessons, after-school activities, and local sports clubs.
Riverside Training, which became a part of Acis Group in September 2020, worked with local councillors to fundraise.
The trainers, which are being donated to several local schools, started being delivered by organiser and Community Sport and Youth Lead at Riverside Training, Thomas Padden – alongside WLDC councillors Trevor Young and Matthew Boles.
The first of the deliveries took place on Thursday 11 February at Hillcrest Early Years Academy and Benjamin Adlard Primary School, with more schools due to benefit in the coming weeks.
Left to right- Councillor Matthew Boles (West Lindsey District Council), Thomas Padden (Organiser and Community Sport and Youth Lead at Riverside Training) and Lewis Commander (a teacher at Hillcrest Early Years Academy)
Mr Padden said he has been “overwhelmed” by the support the appeal has gained over recent weeks.
He said: “Giving these children access to new comfortable sport shoes will help increase the capacity for local children to take part in both curricular-based and extra-curricular sporting activities.
“With the pandemic forcing many of us to stay indoors, it’s more important than ever that we’re encouraging young people to stay active and exercise safely.”
Luke Lovelidge, the Head of School at Benjamin Adlard Primary School believes the trainers will enable more of the children to get active.
“We have a lot of children who don’t have the appropriate footwear to participate in sporting activities,” said Mr Lovelidge.
“This has been a barrier stopping them from taking part. We are wanting to improve our children’s physical health and having these trainers will contribute towards this.”
Lewis Commander, a teacher at Hillcrest Early Years Academy, thinks the local community will be “extremely grateful” for the donation.
Mr Commander said: “We at Hillcrest Early Years Academy would like to thank Riverside Training for kindly donating a range of children’s trainers to our school.
“These trainers will be offered to families in our school community and used to ensure that all children have access to appropriate footwear.”
Councillor Trevor Young, who donated funds towards the appeal, said he is “extremely pleased” to have been able to support local schools in Gainsborough.
“This past year has been financially difficult for many families and this scheme will help lots of children to meet their educational needs.
“I look forward to working with Acis Group and Riverside Training on future initiatives to benefit the town.”
Councillor Matthew Boles said: “I was delighted to support this initiative as it will provide help to a number of families who have been feeling the effects of the pandemic on their household incomes.
“To be able to provide support that’s having a real effect is fantastic.”
Reflecting on the success of the appeal, organiser Thomas Padden later thanked those involved for their help.
He added: “On behalf of all of us at Riverside Training, we’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone that made this project possible. In particular, we’d like to thank all the councillors involved for their incredibly generous donations.”
To find out more about Riverside Training, visit www.riverside-training.org.uk
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