A Hull-based education project whose work has been underpinned by Wykeland Group for the past five years has now gained the support of a range of local businesses.
Run With It, which is based at the KCOM Stadium, helps children improve literacy and numeracy through the power of sport.
It was originally part of the Government-funded “Playing for Success” scheme. However, funding for this programme was scrapped in 2011, leaving the project fighting to stay in existence. It was then that Hull-based regeneration company Wykeland stepped in to provide core funding, advice and support, including introductions to many other local businesses.
The Run With It team works with schools in Hull and the East Riding to improve literacy, numeracy, teamwork and self-esteem by making learning a fun and memorable experience. The key factor in the success of Run With It is that its programmes are run within the KCOM Stadium – the stadium is the classroom!
In addition to Wykeland, other local employers KCOM, PBS Construction, MKM, Spencer Group, Hudgell Solicitors, The One Point, IT@Spectrum and Strawberry have supported the project over recent months, allowing it to expand its activities and involve more schools than ever before.
Dominic Gibbons, Managing Director of Wykeland, which remains Run With It’s main sponsor, said: “We have seen the difference Run with It makes by working with children in the unique, stimulating environment of the KCOM Stadium.
“The Run With It team bring learning to life by putting literacy and numeracy in the context of the many activities taking place in and around the stadium.
“The young people respond and engage in ways they simply don’t do within the classroom and this really builds their confidence and accelerates their development. We’re proud to have played a key part in ensuring this great project has been able to continue to provide highly-beneficial learning experiences to hundreds of children and young people every year.”
Lisa Dawson, Run With It’s Project Manager, said: “Our core funding comes from Wykeland who, for the past five years, have underpinned everything we strive to achieve at Run With It.
“At the beginning of 2016 we began to speak to more local businesses to help us raise awareness of our programmes. We knew that with additional support we could offer more young people the opportunity to visit our centre.
“The educational impact we have is strong and this is shown in our evaluations. We have met some great local businesses who have shared our passion and grasped the power of ‘changing the classroom’ in inspiring and motivating children to improve in the key subjects of maths and English.
“The KCOM Stadium is certainly a powerful environment in which to educate and we hope to build on our recent growth during 2017. We’d love to talk to other businesses who can help us do this by supporting one of our programmes.”
Local businesses interested in supporting Run With It can contact Lisa on 07968 013135 or e-mail info@runwithithull.co.uk. Further information on Run With It’s work can be found at www.runwithithull.co.uk
