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Lidl Northern Ireland has gone to top of the class after awarding 40 secondary schools £3,000 worth of vouchers each to secure essential brand-new sports equipment as part of the retailer’s Sport for Good initiative, which aims to encourage and support young people to make the most of the physical and mental benefits of sport participation.

Representing an investment of £120,000, 40 schools – one for every Lidl Northern Ireland store in December 2020 – across all six counties are set to benefit from the boost.

Championed by sporting legends including Commonwealth pommel horse champion Rhys McClenaghan, national record-holding runner Ciara Mageean, Paralympic swimmer Bethany Firth MBE and Irish national hockey team captain Katie Mullan, the programme aims to shine a light on mental health and the positive role sport can play.

Sport for Good Ambassador and Commonwealth and European Champion gymnast Rhys McClenaghan said:

“With 1 in 4 young people in Northern Ireland struggling with their mental health, I am passionate about championing participation in sport as a great way to boost your self-esteem, body confidence and social skills. Not only that, but sport is a great way to build up a life-long support system of friends and mentors.

Sport played a massive part in my life growing up and it’s really important that young people from all backgrounds are given the same opportunities to access sport, particularly those who are disadvantaged. That’s why I’m proud to be an ambassador for Lidl’s Sport for Good initiative, working together to inspire and encourage the next generation of elite athletes, or simply introducing young people to a new hobby that will help develop them physically and mentally and build positive, life-long relationships.

Thanks to Lidl Northern Ireland and the Sport for Good programme, thousands of pupils will have access to the best new sporting equipment, and I look forward to seeing all of the athletes progress in achieving their personal goals.”

Launched in 2019, the Lidl Community Works Sport for Good programme has now delivered funding of almost £300,000 to local sports clubs and schools across Northern Ireland.

Angela Connan, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Lidl Northern Ireland commented:

“We’re delighted to announce this year’s Sport for Good winners and provide 40 secondary schools right across the region with a funding boost which is set to benefit thousands of young people. We know that this school year has been a difficult one for many pupils adapting to remote learning and that wider curriculum activities, such as physical education, have been significantly impacted.

The benefits of sports participation on young people’s mental and physical health are well documented and, as a local retailer invested in its community, Lidl Northern Ireland is keen to ensure young people stay engaged and active in sport through our dedicated Sport for Good programme.

Now in its third year, Sport for Good is a cornerstone of our wider Community Works initiative and demonstrates Lidl Northern Ireland’s ongoing commitment to providing local support where it matters most. We’re proud to be contributing to the ongoing development of our young people right here in Northern Ireland and to help the next generation of home-grown, world-class athletes like Rhys, Bethany, Ciara and Katie, on their way to sporting success.”

The Sport for Good programme is just one of Lidl Northern Ireland’s many initiatives to support communities across Northern Ireland. In October 2020, the retailer announced a second extension to its charity partnership with NSPCC Northern Ireland to 2022 and committed to an increased funding target of £600,000 in this time. Initially established in 2017, the partnership has delivered more than £400,000 worth of funding to date in support of the vital services that NSPCC Northern Ireland delivers across the region.

For more information, please visit lidl-ni.co.uk/lidl-community-works.