SOS Kit Aid

“My name is Adrian France, though I’m better known as Frenchie. I have been involved in Service and Civilian rugby in Lincolnshire since the late-70s. In the RAF, I had a long association with both RAF Digby and RAF Waddington, while in local rugby, I’ve been connected to North Hykeham (previously North Kesteven) since the early 90s.

In late-June, I took over as the volunteer Area Manager, for SOS Kit Aid, for the Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire & Derbyshire (NLD) area. My role is; to approach individuals, groups and organisations including; Service, Emergency Service and Civilian Rugby Clubs and schools, asking them to donate their old and/or unused rugby kit, then to hopefully to collect, pack and despatch the kit abroad on behalf of SOS Kit Aid.

SOS Kit Aid is an award-winning rugby charity, supported by World Rugby and led by John Broadfoot, MBE. SOS helps to make a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged rugby youngsters and adults around the world. In the last 20+ years, SOS Kit Aid has recycled over £8 million pounds worth of quality rugby kit from UK rugby clubs and schools. This is enough kit to enable over a quarter of a million disadvantaged youngsters in 60+ emerging rugby countries around the world to play rugby.

Details of the latest award given to the charity can be found HERE.

At the same time, this recycled kit has saved over 1500 tonnes of harmful CO2 emissions, which has seen SOS Kit Aid win three prestigious environmental awards. It has also seen over 250 tonnes of quality UK rugby kit saved from being dumped in UK landfill sites.

My request of both NLD RFU along with all of the clubs and members within the NLD is that if you are thinking of changing any of your kit, please consider donating it to SOS Kit Aid.

While the main focus is on Junior kit, there is an increasing call for Senior kit, with a recent request for a humanitarian shipment to Moldova, to help Ukrainian refugees, which was enabled by UK donations to SOS Kit Aid.

The only proviso is that the kit has to be serviceable, or in other words, you would be happy for your child/young adult to wear it.

Kit can include but is not limited to:

• playing kit (shorts, socks, jerseys), tracksuits, training tops, t-shirts, bags, boots (pairs only please);
• personal padding (head/shoulder pads);
• post protectors (at least a pair please, though doesn’t have to be all 4);
• tackle; bags, shields and suits and rugby balls (with some life left)

It does not have to be in full sets, individual items are great too.

If you think you can help or want more information about the process, please contact me using the details below

If you would like to find out more about SOS Kit Aid, please follow this link: www.SOSKitAid.com