Local BBC Radio Kit out the Nation campaign success in Leicester

Actor Stephen Graham and his wife Hannah Walters have been helping BBC Radio Leicester give out sports kit to children at Heather Primary School in Coalville today.

The kits and equipment have been collected through the Local BBC Radio ‘Kit out the Nation’ initiative which was launched earlier this month to encourage children to keep fit and active.

Local to Leicestershire, actor Stephen, whose credits include Help, Time, Line of Duty and This is England wanted to support his local school after hearing about the campaign on BBC Radio Leicester’s Breakfast Show.

Heather Primary School’s sports teams didn’t have a kit for their matches so Stephen, Hannah and their 15-year-old son Alfie made a special delivery to the children – their very own kits and ten footballs!

Stephen said: “I think it’s fantastic, it really is… for you to say you’re coming to the school round the corner from us, and to realise it’s children on your doorstep that need sports kit, not just the kids but the schools it’s a wonderful thing. Every child deserves the opportunity and the right to participate in some kind of sport.”

Maxine Michalowski, Head Teacher, Heather Primary School, said: “It has been such an exciting day! The children loved meeting Stephen and they’re delighted with their new kit and footballs.”

On receiving the kit, Jasper in Year 6 said: “It’s been an amazing day, it’s not every day you’ve got two movie stars in your school. It’s nice to see everyone so happy, and now we’ve got some new kit – I think it’s really good and we all appreciate it.”

Jonathan Lampon, Assistant Editor, BBC Radio Leicester, said, “We know families across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are feeling the financial strain of a pandemic but even before Coronavirus, the cost of sports kit and equipment meant some children having to go without. Access to sport, exercise and the right equipment adds up and local BBC radio’s ‘Kit Out the Nation’ campaign aims to see no child left on the side lines. Having Stephen Graham join us today helps spread our message far and wide and I’m honoured he’s helped us to make a difference to the young people who need us most.”