England Rugby captain kicks off campaign to get Brits into action

Around 114 million pairs of trainers are lying idle in cupboards across the UK and could be given a second life, new research shows.

But more than 80 percent of Brits say they would probably give them up if they knew it would help someone else get active.

According to a survey of 2,000 people, the average Briton owns five pairs, yet almost 30 percent say they still have a pair in the original packaging that they will never wear.

The fear of not knowing if the trainers are good enough to be reused is the main reason they don’t get a second chance, while 21 percent say they have never even considered donating their trainers.

One in nine also says they don’t know how or where to donate them.

Research from Vitality Health and Life Insurance has found that the average household owns ten pairs of trainers and spends around £66 on each pair.

With 31 percent of Brits saying they have enough pairs, they can wear a different one every day.

Despite so many pairs gathering dust, half of Brits say they struggle to afford trainers, with 35 per cent admitting the cost affects their ability to exercise or stay active.

England rugby captain Maro Itoje is leading a campaign to urge Brits to get rid of trainers they don’t use (he is pictured in Battersea on Saturday)

Around 114 million pairs of trainers are lying idle in cupboards in the UK and could be given a second life, new research shows

In response, England rugby captain Maro Itoje and Vitality have launched Give2Move, a new initiative aimed at improving access to trainers that will allow more people to be more active – removing a key barrier to exercise and the health benefits that come with it.

Even when no longer used, many trainers are kept. More than half say they keep pairs that are still in good condition, while almost half keep them “just in case,” leaving millions unused in homes across the country.

Sheffield and Belfast are the unused sneaker capitals of Britain, with more than three pairs per person sitting idle. 18 to 24 year olds are likely to lose interest in a pair of trainers (41 percent), while 45 to 54 year olds hoard the most pairs of trainers (three).

On average, it only takes 15 months for Brits to get trainer fatigue and buy a new pair.

The most common uses for trainers in Britain are walking (74 percent), gym workouts (28 percent) and running (28 percent), the data shows.

But not all unused shoes sit idle, and one in four (39 percent) say they donate their used running shoes to charity, one in six (18 percent) say they recycle their trainers, and 16 percent say they resell them online.

Most Brits keep their trainers because they think they might wear them again in the future (49 per cent), and 42 per cent say they keep them because they are still in good condition.

Convenient drop-off locations (47 percent) and environmental benefits (28 percent) are among the top reasons people are more likely to donate unused shoes.

As the physical activity gap widens between the most and least deprived communities, Give2Move is encouraging people to ditch the trainers they aren’t using, with the aim of collecting 1 million pairs over the next five years to help more people in the UK get moving – a mission that is at the heart of Vitality.

Maro Itoje kicked off the campaign at the Battersea Parkrun, saying: ‘Staying active should be something everyone has access to, but for some people not having the right equipment can be a real barrier.

Itoje said: ‘Staying active should be something everyone has access to, but for some people not having the right equipment can be a real barrier’

England rugby captain hands over a small pair of trainers to a young fan, as Battersea Power Station is visible in the distance

‘I know firsthand how important regular activity is for both mental and physical health. That’s why it’s so important that we all come together to break down the barriers that exist to getting active.

“Being part of Give2Move allows me to be part of this movement to ensure no one can say trainers are the reason they stop exercising.”

Dr. Milly Marshall, Medical Advisor at Vitality, added: ‘Regular physical activity is one of the most important things we can do for our overall health, helping to reduce the risk of chronic conditions that support our mental wellbeing.

‘But for some people, not having the right equipment, including access to trainers, can be a real barrier to getting active.

‘Initiatives like Give2Move can play an important role in removing that barrier and making activities more accessible to more people.’

Vitality has launched Give2Move in collaboration with Shoe Aid and JogOn. Donation points are available at Vitality Partners nationwide