RETAILER Poundland has launched a new charitable foundation this week which aims to help fund children's sports teams.

The chain, which has branches in Blackburn, Accrington, Burnley and Colne, is allowing children's sports organisations to apply for grants of £750 each, adding up to a total of £825,000

The money can be used to provide kits or equipment, with the company planning to fund 250 teams for any kind of team sport across the region.

Poundland North of England community champion Jo Hammond said: “Poundland colleagues and customers have plenty of fun, but we take fund raising very seriously because we know how important it is to our local communities.

“We know how vital sport is for children, not just for keeping fit and healthy, but having a good time and making friends too, so it’s great to see team sports are kicking off the foundation’s first round of grants.”

The company says that Ms Hammond was the driving force behind their donations supporting the local NHS, as well as championing local care homes and food banks.

Money for the foundation will come from in-store fundraising, carrier bag donations and the partnership with Pennies, the charity that collects micro-donations through chip and pin machines.

She hopes that that the drive to fund sports organisations will find similar success.

This is especially the case given the extremely difficult conditions that sports clubs, especially those involving children, have faced due to the pandemic over the past year.

Poundland Foundation chair Simon Wells said: “We think the foundation will be a real winner for children’s team sports and we can’t wait to see the applications coming in.

“It doesn’t matter how large or small, new or old, or whatever your chosen sport, get your team’s application in now.

"The starting gun has fired.”

Applications will need to be made during June via the new Poundland Foundation website at www.poundlandfoundation.org.uk.