Hawke's Bay Bring Yer Boots campaign to hit ground running

Sport Hawke's Bay's Ryan Hambleton, and Jorian Tangaere. Photo / Paul Taylor

It's time to sort through the shoe box again with the annual Bring Yer Boots campaign just around the corner.

This year Hawke's Bay Today in conjunction with Sport Hawke's Bay will run the fifth annual Bring Yer Boots campaign, collecting and distributing unused sports gear to youngsters, for the month of March.

Sport Hawke's Bay commercial manager Ryan Hambleton said the campaign now accepted all types of sporting footwear in light of different sport codes expanding in popularity.

"Traditionally it's always been about rugby and football boots but we're really keen to open it up and reduce barriers for those other sports.

"We deal with a lot of sports clubs and schools so we're now trying to broaden the reach as well to allow those other sports to flourish."

Shoes for running, basketball, netball, rugby and football, among other sports, were accepted by the campaign and would be distributed to children between Wairoa and Central Hawke's Bay, he said.

"Whatever we get is always really well picked up. No shoes go to waste. We've already had a request from a couple of schools to ask if we're doing it again because they have families that are crying out for some boots."

Mr Hambleton said the beauty of the campaign was that children often grew out of sports shoes quickly so there was plenty of donation potential.

"Rugby boots, football boots and even basketball shoes are only worn during games so they're still in good condition and kids grow so fast. If they're looked after they can last a few seasons and go to different families.

Last year a pair of boots was re-donated to the campaign after going to a child who grew out of them after a season, he said.

"I had a tidy out of the garage. I've got three kids and they've all outgrown different football boots and even some running shoes which are in such good nick because they grow so fast."

Mr Hambleton said the annual campaign had been brought forward in the calendar this year to accommodate sports that begin early and get kids into boots before seasons begin.

"We're really keen to try and get as many people as we can from the public arena to donate. The shoes all go to really worthy kids who just want to get out and run around with their mates. This is an easy way for the Hawke's Bay community to support sport."

Those wishing to donate sports shoes to the campaign can drop them off at the offices of Hawke's Bay Today, Sport Hawke's Bay and the Wairoa Community centre between March 1 and 31.