Go to the Apply for kit section of our website and complete the web form. We allow one application per 12-month period. Evidence required: You will be asked to upload a copy of your latest Universal Credit statement, or proof you receive Pension Credit. Your evidence MUST show any children or partner you are applying for. Camping equipment: If you are requesting camping equipment we will ask for specific information to support your application. You should provide details of a planned adventure which you would like camping kit for, we assess these applications on a case by case basis and look for details such as: The date of your adventure. What's the plan? Is it an organised event? Please provide details. We will request a testimonial with pictures of you using the kit on your adventure. For camping kit we will ask you to pay towards the postage once your application is accepted. Once your application is accepted we normally send out your parcel in up to 4 weeks. We do not always have everything listed on the application form in stock, but we will send what we can. Testimonial: All we request from you is a testimonial that we can share with our supporters and funders and a pledge to send back the kit if it’s no longer of any use to you. We store your data in accordance with GDPR and identifying information will be kept confidential.

Kitsquad FAQs - Kitsquad

FAQs

What is Kitsquad?

Kitsquad was set up at the beginning of 2020. It’s the only nationwide charity that supplies donated hiking and expedition kit to low-income individuals to enable them to get outdoors wearing or using the appropriate clothing and equipment. For more background on the charity see the About Us page.

How does it work?

The concept is very simple. Generous members of our outdoor community send in their surplus hiking and expedition clothing and equipment. It is received, checked and logged onto the system.

When requests for kit come in, if we can match the request with what we have in stock, it is sent out to that individual or family. For larger requests we may charge a courier fee.

That item then becomes the property of that person and long may they have adventures with it! Should they find that the item becomes no longer needed, we encourage them to return it back to Kitsquad to enable the next person to use it.

Our focus remains on supporting individuals and families.

How to Apply

Go to the Apply for kit section of our website and complete the web form. We allow one application per 12-month period.

Evidence required: You will be asked to upload a copy of your latest Universal Credit statement, or proof you receive Pension Credit. Your evidence MUST show any children or partner you are applying for.

Camping equipment: If you are requesting camping equipment we will ask for specific information to support your application. You should provide details of a planned adventure which you would like camping kit for, we assess these applications on a case by case basis and look for details such as:

The date of your adventure.
What’s the plan?
Is it an organised event? Please provide details.
We will request a testimonial with pictures of you using the kit on your adventure.

For camping kit we will ask you to pay towards the postage once your application is accepted.

Once your application is accepted we normally send out your parcel in up to 4 weeks. We do not always have everything listed on the application form in stock, but we will send what we can.

Testimonial: All we request from you is a testimonial that we can share with our supporters and funders and a pledge to send back the kit if it’s no longer of any use to you.

We store your data in accordance with GDPR and identifying information will be kept confidential.

What kit can you donate to Kitsquad?

Our most requested items are waterproof jackets and waterproof trousers, followed by sleeping bags, rucksacks and tents.

For a full list of what we accept, please see the Get Involved page.

We do not accept any technical safety gear, such as ropes/harnesses or helmets.

We will accept watersports/swimming gear, cycling gear and the big family camping setups, though this is with the understanding that we will sell these items to help us cover our running costs.

We host a parcel drop-off bin at the Kitsquad unit.
Or you can send kit to:
Kitsquad
Unit 49B
Atcham business park
Shrewsbury
SY4 4UG

Do you supply the bigger family camping set ups?

No, our focus is purely on expedition kit. This is lightweight kit that is designed to be carried in a rucksack.

We do occasionally have the bigger tents in, but we sell these to help us raise some funds that goes towards our core running costs. Occasionally we have a warehouse sale, which we will advertise on our socials.

Do you supply community groups / charities with kit?

We currently do not offer support for community groups or charities with a pool supply of kit. Our focus remains on supporting individuals and families. However, individual members of community groups are welcome to apply. If this changes in the future, we will update this website and our social media with the details.

Are you a charity?

Yes, our charity number is 1207172.

How is Kitsquad funded?

We try to cover day to day costs from our generous supporters, if you would like to become a supporter, please see how you can get involved here – For our regular Patreon supporters we hold a monthly raffle!

We have applied for some grants and these are generally tied to specific projects, see the Our Future section for details on how we hope to build a sustainable financial future for Kitsquad.

The biggest expense is postage/courier costs and rent on a warehouse. Unfortunately due to demand we now request payment of postage for larger applications.

If anyone is able to help with grant applications, fundraising or just donating, please do get in touch

Clothing and equipment that we receive that is not suitable for our beneficiaries, or which we have a large stock of we do sell on our online charity shops, feel free to take a look:

eBay
Vinted

How can I donate funds?

There are several ways that you can donate funds to Kitsquad.

Patreon – donate a small regular monthly amount via Patreon
Make a one-off donation via JustGiving
Donate materials and equipment via Amazon – here is our Amazon wishlist
Sign up to easyfundraising and see your favourite brands donate to the cause you care about whenever you shop with them
Fundraise at an event for us