60 young people from all around Europe will flock to Leeds to play their part in efforts to keep this year’s Leeds Festival environmentally friendly.
They are coming for a two week volunteering project organised by the local community organisation Everything is Possible. As part of their project they will join Everything is Possible and Festival Republic to help to keep the Leeds Festival site environmentally friendly.
They will also help salvage abandoned camping equipment left in a good or reusable condition. This equipment will then be passed on to the local community and individuals in Leeds through a ‘’community exchange’’ sale. In return, volunteers will receive a free ticket to the festival and the chance to discover the British culture.
This volunteering project is supported by the British Council and the Youth in Action programme of the European Union.
Clair Brown, co-founder of Everything is Possible, said:
This is a fantastic opportunity to give to young people who couldn’t normally access this kind of event the chance to see their favourite bands while helping the local community and environment. A lot of organisations working with young people or the homeless, for example, could really make use of this equipment.
Last year, Everything is Possible with the help of British volunteers collected around 700 tents and thousands of camping gears.
Bob McDougall, responsible for the project:
We only collect camping equipment in perfect condition to be reused. Many people buy a tent just for the festival and then leave it all there
The ‘’community exchange’’ sale will take place the Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th August. For a small donation people will be able to get bargain equipment, collect nearly brand new tents, pop-up tents, sleeping bags, mats, wellingtons and other camping equipment. The money raised will help develop international projects for young people with fewer opportunities in the UK and all around the world. The sale will be open to individuals on Thursday.
Local community groups can apply to Everything is Possible to join the salvage at Bramham Park and fill their vehicle with recycled equipment for free.
In addition, all food collected during the festival will be passed on to St George’s Crypt in Leeds to help feed homeless and disadvantaged people.
