England rugby captain Maro Itoje has launched a new initiative, Give2Move, encouraging Britons to donate unused trainers to help people become more active. The campaign, in partnership with Vitality Health and Life Insurance, aims to collect one million pairs of trainers over five years.
Research commissioned by Vitality found that approximately 114 million pairs of trainers are gathering dust in UK households, with the average person owning five pairs. Nearly a third of Britons have pairs still in their original packaging that they will never use. Despite this, over 80% say they would donate if they knew it helped someone else get active.
The survey of 2,000 people revealed that 30% are unsure whether their trainers are suitable for reuse, while 21% have never considered donating. One in nine do not know how or where to donate. The typical household spends around £66 per pair, and 50% of Britons have struggled to afford trainers, with 35% saying the cost has affected their ability to exercise.
Itoje kicked off Give2Move at the Battersea Park Run, stating: 'Staying active should be something everyone can access, but for some people, not having the right kit can be a real barrier.' Dr Milly Marshall, Medical Advisor at Vitality, added: 'Regular physical activity is one of the most important things we can do for our overall health... Initiatives like Give2Move can play an important role in helping to remove that barrier.'
Give2Move is collaborating with Shoe Aid and JogOn, with collection points set up at Vitality locations. The campaign aims to address the widening gap in physical activity between the most and least deprived communities.
