Star Stephen pitches in to hand out kits
HOLLYWOOD star Stephen Graham has been handing out sports kit to youngsters at a school near his Ibstock home.
Stephen and his wife, the actress Hannah Walters, and their son, Alfie, popped down to Heather Primary School on Tuesday to hand out the equipment collected through the BBC Radio Leicester Kit out the Nation scheme.
It was launched this month to get children to keep fit and active.
The actor, whose credits include Help, Time, Line of Duty and the Pirates of the Caribbean films, wanted to support the school after hearing about the campaign on
Radio Leicester’s Breakfast Show.
Heather Primary School’s sports teams did not have a kit for their matches so Stephen, Hannah and 15-year-old Alfie made a special delivery to pupils – of kits and 10 footballs.
Stephen described the scheme as “a wonderful thing”.
He said: “I think it’s fantastic. To realise it’s children on our doorstep that need sports kit.
“Every child deserves the opportunity and the right to participate in some kind of sport.”
Maxine Michalowski, head teacher at Heather Primary, said: “It has been such an exciting day. “The children loved meeting Stephen and they’re delighted with their new kit and footballs.” On receiving the kit, Jasper, in Year 6, said: “It’s been an amazing day – it’s not every day you’ve got two movie stars in your school. “It’s nice to see everyone so happy, and now we’ve got some new kit.
“I think it’s really good and we all appreciate it.”
Jonathan Lampon, assistant editor of BBC Radio Leicester, said: “We know families across Leicester,
Leicestershire and Rutland are feeling the financial strain of a pandemic but even before coronavirus the cost of sports kit and equipment meant some children having to go without.
“Access to sport, exercise and the right equipment adds up and local BBC radio’s Kit out the Nation campaign aims to see no child left on the side lines.
“Having Stephen Graham join us today helps spread our message far and wide and I’m honoured he’s helped us to make a difference to the young people who need us most.”