Together Through Sport: Donations for children trebled this derby day
A community-focused initiative creating more opportunities for North East children has received a significant boost to its donation drive.
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.
Donations will be doubled by the North East Mayor Kim McGuinness’s Region of Sport fund, up to £50,000, and matched in-kind by the sporting foundations. That means each donation will provide triple the impact, and three times as many sports sessions and holiday camp places for children in our region.
This means the Wear-Tyne clash becomes a moment to rally behind every child in our region through the Together Through Sport campaign, which is part of Mayor Kim’s Region of Sport initiative.
Every donation helps create free places on holiday programmes and free sports sessions in schools, safe spaces where children can build confidence, make friends and feel like they belong.
Right now in the North East:
- One in three children are growing up in poverty.
- One in four children miss out on sport simply because their families can’t afford it.
- Only half of young people get the daily activity they need for good health.
- One in four children leave primary school with poor health.
- One in three families struggle to afford healthy meals.
This landmark year-long fundraising effort brings together an incredible line-up of partners including the Newcastle United Foundation, Foundation of Light, Durham Cricket Foundation, Eagles Community Foundation, Newcastle Rugby Foundation, North East Housing Partnership and the North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness to make sure every child, no matter their background, can experience the life-changing benefits that sport brings.
Steve Beharall, Newcastle United Foundation CEO, said: “We see every day the positive impact sport creates for young people – from the benefits of physical activity, to improving confidence and social skills to raising aspirations for a brighter future here in the North East.
“No child should miss out on the joy of sport and with support from our communities through this campaign, we can provide more young people with opportunities to play, learn and grow together.”
Foundation of Light Chief Executive Lesley Spuhler added: “Children everywhere deserve the chance to feel what sport can truly offer - confidence, belonging, and the kind of opportunities that can transform their lives.”
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “The Wear-Tyne clash is a huge day for our region but it’s also a brilliant opportunity to bring together the fans and clubs to support local kids. Through our Region of Sport, we want every child to have access to sport and the opportunities it brings.
“While the country is watching, we have a unique opportunity to make a difference to children growing up in this region. Our sports foundations are uniting with us, and showing what shared passion in the North East can really achieve.”
Louise Bassett, a member of North East Housing Partnership (NEHP) and Chief Executive at Gentoo, commented; “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.”
How fans can support
Want to make a difference?
- Text TOGETHERFIVE to 70085 to donate £5
- Visit justgiving.com/campaign/sport to give online.
For more information about the Newcastle United Foundation and programmes near you, follow Newcastle United Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and X for regular news and updates.