No child left on the sidelines – North East partners kick off landmark sports campaign
Newcastle United Foundation is joining North East sports clubs and foundations to ensure no child is left on the sidelines with the launch of a campaign providing sporting opportunities for children across the region.
The Together Through Sport campaign, backed by Newcastle United Foundation, Foundation of Light, Durham Cricket Foundation, Eagles Community Foundation, and Newcastle Rugby Foundation, unites all regional sporting foundations for the first time in a landmark collaboration to support young people through physical activity.
Using each charity’s shared ambition to remove barriers to access sport, the campaign aims to provide more opportunities for young people to enjoy and engage in physical activity, giving children the best start in life, regardless of background.
The yearlong fundraising campaign, also backed by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and North East Housing Partnership will take centre stage during the Sunderland v Newcastle United derby on Sunday, December 14. Funds raised will provide hundreds of free places on holiday courses and free school sports sessions across the North East.
Steve Beharall, Newcastle United Foundation CEO, said: “Together Through Sport harnesses the power of sport here in the North East, creating positive change and providing meaningful opportunities for young people across our region.
“By combining our strengths, we can inspire and engage more communities through one unified voice and show that some things are greater than individual loyalties to our local team – they’re about coming together for something bigger.”
A launch event was held at the Beacon of Light, the base of the Foundation of Light in December, providing interactive sports activities for children delivered by each Foundation, supported by men’s and women’s players and regional sporting representatives, including Newcastle United Women’s Emma Kelly.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “We’re famous for our love of sport in the North East so I want every single child to have the chance to get involved.
“Sport is so much more than just getting young people active, it’s about building confidence, giving them the opportunity to try something new and unlocking talents they never knew they had.
“Through our sporting foundations and Region of Sport ambitions, we can create a North East where every child thrives.”
Louise Bassett, a member of North East Housing Partnership (NEHP) and Chief Executive at Gentoo, said: “Within the NEHP, we want to invest in our communities in ways that go far beyond bricks and mortar.
“This is such a unique partnership and a campaign that will make a real difference to children in the region.
“No child should be left on the sidelines and by working together we can give more children the chance to play, grow, and thrive through sport.”
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