KidSport BC launched their 12th annual Give the Gift of Sport campaign, to raise funds for kids to join organized sports next year.
The campaign comes as the organization saw a sharp increase in family grant applications in the Cariboo, with an overall average of a 63 percent more applicants from 2022 to 2023.
Director of KidSport BC, Angela Crowther says the increase isn’t a surprise.
“Sport is an invaluable part of many kids lives, and unfortunately the rising cost of living is putting pressure on a lot of British Columbians to afford those basic necessities.” says Crowther.
“Sport tends to be one of those things that drops off so, we’re really seeing that more and more families are needing support to help cover the cost of sport registration fees.”
100 Mile House saw the largest increase of 169 percent, Quesnel with 35 percent, and Williams Lake with 57 percent.
Crowther says that KidSport is tracking a provincial average of 30 percent.
She attributes the increase to more people being comfortable coming out of the COVID pandemic, along with their improvements of outreach.
Anyone looking to donate to KidSport or to apply for a grant can do so on their website here.
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