'Kites for Kids' - new project aims to help Sunderland families through crisis

Norfolk Street Arts were awarded the money to provide families on low incomes with free creative ‘kite kits’, encouraging children and parents to design and fly kites together, during their daily exercise time in a way that complies with social distancing.

This comes after the news that The National Lottery launched its comprehensive package of support of up to £600 million to help communities and charities across the UK, with over £750,000 of funds being awarded to the North East & Cumbria in the last month.

Thanks to the funding, Norfolk Street Arts has secured over 100 creative kite packs, which each pack including one plain kite to decorate and assemble, paints, brushes, and five blank cards, envelopes and crayons to decorate.

The community group are hoping once lockdown is over, all the families who have taken part in this project will join in a community get together on the Sunderland beaches, to fly the kites together.

Vincent Todd, Director at Norfolk Street Arts, said: “COVID-19 is and will continue to be difficult for many families across our region. With families in lockdown, our Kites for Kids project will help support vulnerable and low-income families who are suffering due to lockdown and social isolation.

Once social restrictions are lifted, we will bring the community together for a community kite fly on Sunderland’s stunning coastline.”

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