Ahead of this weekend’s Wear-Tyne derby between Sunderland AFC and Newcastle United, fans are being encouraged to support children across the North East through the Together Through Sport campaign.
Donations will be doubled by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness’s Region of Sport Fund, up to £50,000, and matched in-kind by the region’s sporting foundations, tripling the impact of every contribution.
Durham Cricket Foundation is proud to be part of the landmark initiative, which brings together the North East’s sporting charities to help remove financial barriers and provide more children with access to free sports sessions and holiday programmes in their local communities.
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.
Fans, mascots, players and supporters will stand shoulder to shoulder for a cause that matters far beyond the 90 minutes, with the opportunity to donate by texting TOGETHERFIVE to 70085 or visiting www.justgiving.com/campaign/sport to give online.
This landmark year-long fundraising effort brings together an incredible lineup of partners including Durham Cricket Foundation, Foundation of Light, Newcastle United 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.
Right now in the North East:
1 in 3 children are growing up in poverty.
1 in 4 kids 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.
1 in 4 children leave primary school with poor health.
1 in 3 families struggle to afford healthy meals.
These stats paint a tough picture, but they also show exactly why this campaign matters.
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.”