Tori Leckie, long distance runner and Middle East Adidas-sponsored athlete has launched a charitable initiative to donate used trainers to local labourers in the UAE. This is the first of its kind in the region.

The idea was borne in June of this year following an afternoon volunteering with Seeds of Change group who go about doing random acts of kindness in Dubai. Tori then wrote a blog post, titled Sharing soles & nourishing souls, about her intentions on her health, fitness and wellness website Fit Chicks and Fast Women.

Further involvement with another local charity SmartLife who run Adopt a Laborer followed. As luck would have it, SmartLife organise an annual cricket tournament called SmartCup in conjunction with Fortune PromoSeven and other supporting organisations. The event will see 24 teams battle it out on a cricket pitch on the 17th February 2012. Teams comprise both white and blue-collar workers with the entire event designed to enhance the lifestyle of the UAE’s hard working labourers.

Now, several months later and in the run up to the event, Tori is pushing for old trainer donations throughout the community for distribution by SmartLife at labour camps for cricketers and others alike.

“Everyone has old trainers sitting at home that do nothing but create clutter and gather dust. As a runner myself, I know I’m guilty of this and I know many of the local fitness community are same. Donating them to our hard working labourers seems like a great solution for all,” says Tori. “I’m delighted to be working alongside the team at SmartLife to facilitate the collection and distribution and I hope beyond this first drive, that the initiative will continue on an ongoing basis.”

Donations can be made at Fortune Promoseven, Office 449, 4th floor, Emarat Atrium on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai between 9am and 6pm, Sunday to Thursday.

For enquiries re collections, please contact Arun on 050 457 6873.

All sizes are welcome but please ensure all trainers are clean and in a reasonable condition. (They come out a treat if washed on a low temperature in the machine – just remove the laces first).