As part of its ongoing CSR programme, leading print finishing equipment manufacturer, A B Graphic International (ABG), has recently sponsored local educational charity, ‘Run With It’. The charity, which is based in the KCOM Stadium, the home of Hull City Football Club and Hull FC Rugby League Club, delivers innovative and challenging learning programmes for children, young people and adult learners.

The charity primarily works with local primary, secondary and special schools delivering the key skills of literacy and maths in a functional and exciting way by using football stadia as the classroom. In practice, skills learnt in the classroom are applied in real life settings, such as maths in the club shops and measuring the pitch, or literacy in the media areas in the stadium, pretending to be match day reporters, commentators or even the club managers. By using the power of sport in interesting and stimulating environments, this practical learning not only consolidates children’s understanding of those topics within the key areas of the curriculum, but also demonstrates the importance of such skills in everyday life and in particular the world of work.

The charity has recently expanded into Bridlington with the support of Bridlington Town Football Club and the local business community, of which ABG is part. “The support by local businesses and schools has been overwhelming and with the help of companies such as ABG, we have so far reached over 120 students and four schools on a pilot programme at the football club,” said ‘Run With It’s’ lead teacher, Mel Johnson. “Our intention is to open a satellite centre at Bridlington Town Football Club once the pilot programme is complete and all the feedback is in.”

“The opportunity for children to take those skills taught in the classroom and implement and build on them in a real life situation/setting, is of huge benefit to them in both their short and long term development. We cannot thank ABG enough for their support in setting up this project and enabling us to reach so many children and young people in Bridlington in such a short space of time and during a pandemic!” added Mel.

ABG’s Matt Burton, global sales director, said: “Clearly we are delighted to be involved with their Bridlington project and very much look forward to them becoming established on our home turf. This is all about helping to educate, shape and support the next generation, which for us, is a priority in the community that we serve.”