YPO AND BROWNLEE FOUNDATION PARTNER TO SUPPORT NEXT GENERATION OF YOUNG ATHLETES
YPO has announced a new partnership with the Brownlee Foundation, supporting free sport events that promote being active and healthy lifestyles for school children from all backgrounds.
Supporting the events for the first time, the Wakefield-based public sector purchasing organisation has donated 12,000 branded kit bags that will be handed out to children joining in triathlon activities.
Founded by Olympic triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, this year’s mini-triathlon events began in Leeds on Monday 20 May. The programme will run until Friday 28 June, with 12 events set to take place across the country.
Throughout the 2024 programme, the YPO-supported Brownlee Foundation events will reach over 12,000 school children in a bid to inspire them to regularly take part in sport.
Aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils, the free events enable children to enjoy being active in a non-competitive and inclusive environment. With no need for any previous triathlon experience, all abilities are able to take part.

Simon Hill, Managing Director of YPO, said:
“Participation in sport is proven to be beneficial to all of us, boosting physical, mental and social wellbeing. It’s an honour to support the Brownlee Foundation, that recognises and acts to encourage participation in sport at an early age. By offering a free and inclusive event, the Foundation is helping to remove barriers such as cost, providing easier access to sport for all.”
Jonny Brownlee, Founder of the Brownlee Foundation, added:
“Our events are designed to give school children an introduction to sport and physical activity. We want to create a more accessible route into activity for all children and, we rely on fundraising and support from businesses and organisations to achieve that. The help from YPO and our wider partners means that we can continue to offer events free of charge, optimising the opportunity for children who wouldn’t otherwise be able to take part.”

YPO’s support spans beyond providing kit bags, with some colleagues also volunteering across the events. This participation comes as YPO launches its first ever internal volunteering policy, encouraging colleagues to help worthwhile causes.
YPO is a publicly owned buying organisation offering a range of 30,000 products and over 100 frameworks to public sector organisations, with customers ranging from schools to emergency services. It employs 500 staff at its Wakefield-based headquarters and warehouse.
