Local insurance broker Howden Wilmslow is launching a boot exchange to recycle and reuse football boots and help children in the area keep playing the sport they love.

The insurance team have become a focal point for the local community to donate, exchange or pick up a pair of second-hand football boots, helping even more children play on the pitch, keep active and develop new skills.

Howden Wilmslow branch manager, Danny Brown, said: "It can be a struggle to keep up with kids' ever-growing feet, and having to buy new boots each time they need new ones. Combine this with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, and many parents and carers may find these expenses very difficult to manage.

"That's why we've launched our boot exchange, and we're thrilled to be working with local sports clubs, who run an incredible range of active, wellbeing, and educational programmes for our community. Together, we will help out local families with a fun and sustainable scheme that makes sure everyone who wants to play football can get out on the pitch."

The boots can be found at the front near the window of the office (Wilmslow Nub News).

A representative of a local club said: "Football brings more than just kicking a ball; the social and physical benefits have long-lasting effects. Training together builds character and bonds which can last a lifetime both on and off the pitch, and provides an escape from stresses in their lives.

"Everyone wears the same kit, but there can be stark differences when it comes to boots. Some will have the newest, most expensive boots, and sadly, far too many others have to wear ill-fitting boots as parents just cannot keep up with the rapid growth of a child's feet and the even faster growth of the cost of boots.

"The boot exchange works so well to tackle this, as there are many families with cupboards full of almost new boots, and many in need of a new pair to fit their growing feet. We can't wait to see kids running out in a pair of shiny new boots, with big smiles on their faces."

Football boots can be expensive for local families (Wilmslow Nub News).

Children's football boots can cost anywhere between £20 to £150 so the price of replacing them even just once or twice a year can quickly add up.

Since launching, many pairs of boots have been donated and given to young players, with many more ready to go to those who need them, completely free. Donors can give boots without exchanging, exchange their boots for other sizes or collect a pair of their choice.

Howden have also launched a book exchange to help everyone in the local area experience the joy of reading this autumn. The coming weeks will see them host giveaways, children's story time sessions and coffee mornings.

To kickstart this, Howden are giving away free copies of children's books, including 'Kay's Brilliant Brains', 'The Worst Class in the World in Danger', and 'A Dragon Realm Adventure'.

Some of the books up for grabs (Wilmslow Nub News).

Danny said: "People may wonder why an insurance broker is campaigning about reading, but we believe in the power of insurance as a force for good. We're passionate about caring for our clients, our community and the causes that matter to them.

"Reading has huge benefits, developing our vocabulary and writing skills, social awareness, and critical thinking abilities. There are well-documented correlations between reading, attainment, and long-term outcomes in life. But accessing books can be a real challenge for many people, especially in the wake of the cost-of-living crisis."

Howden hope that the book exchange will help the community to enjoy reading this autumn (Wilmslow Nub News).

The book exchange is the next chapter of the broker's football boot and rugby kit exchanges, through which over 600 pairs of boots have been swapped, helping young people to keep playing the sport they love.

If you would like to collect, exchange, donate boots or you represent a local children's sports club, you can pop into the local Wilmslow branch located at 9-11 Rex Buildings on Alderley Road in Wilmslow or ring 07922702671 and speak with a member of the team.

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