'We give unwanted sportswear to vulnerable people'

A community interest company (CIC) which sends donated clothes, shoes and sports equipment to vulnerable people is teaming up with the London Marathon in the hope of driving donations.

Items donated to Preloved Sports in York are usually sourced from running events, unwanted stock from brands or directly from the public. The goods are either given to charities, recycled or sold at a lower price.

It will have a stand at the pre-race TCS London Marathon Running Show at the Excel centre.

Michael Hill, who founded the CIC in 2021, said he hoped to take donations and engage with brands to show an alternative use for returned or defective items, adding: "Instead of getting rid of them, work with us."

He said: "Initially I set it up as a sole trader just to sort of test the water.

"I set it up in memory of my dad who passed away in May 2019. He was one of those people that would help anyone no matter what their background.

"If you needed help, he would be there to help you. It was quite fitting to set it up in memory of my dad David.

"I know that some people will say about charity shops becoming expensive.

"Our mission is to create a sustainable model that uses pre-loved sportswear to provide opportunities, inspiration and support to others, and we do that through the resale and we try and be fair and reasonable."

He estimates about 70% of donations get redistributed to other organisations and charities.

Runners taking part in Sunday's marathon have to go to the Excel exhibition centre to pick up their accreditation ahead of the race.

Preloved Sports business development manager Andy Norton expects there will be "200,000 people coming through those doors".

He said: "I can see it being a game changer for us, just in terms of brand awareness and the amount of people that are going to learn all about us."

The group has donated goods to a number of different charities and sports across the country, including organisations which support refugees, homeless people and young sports players.

"Making a difference in the social environment really is our drive, but also keeping stuff out of landfill and to give stuff new life," said Jack Slocombe, one of Preloved Sports' directors.

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