MORE than half a million children could face physical and mental health challenges due to cuts to grassroots sports.

Analysis has shown that 560,000 children in the South East are not getting their recommended amount of daily exercise, which is 60 minutes a day.

This decrease is believed to be partly due to the drop in the number of grassroots sports and recreational clubs available for children to take part in.

These have reduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Some sports during the lockdowns were unable to run due to social distancing restrictions. Extra-curricular activities have also been suspended in 72 per cent of primary schools nationally for the academic year.

The study, carried out by PlayFundWin.com - a digital fundraising platform - also found that UK sports clubs lost as many as 60 per cent of their members during the pandemic.

With fewer children taking part in sports and exercise, they could start to suffer from effects on their mental health. Children who regularly play team sports feel six per cent happier and 12 per cent more satisfied with life on average than those who do not play sports, studies show.

There could also be fewer clubs in the future. Grassroots football clubs have been hit by the pandemic as 96 per cent have seen a reduction in income, and 55 per cent of gymnastics clubs are at risk of permanent closure.

The Argus: Grassroot sports are at risk after a decline of involvement from children during the pandemicGrassroot sports are at risk after a decline of involvement from children during the pandemic

With the future of thousands of these essential organisations hanging in the balance, fundraising has never been so important. Play Fund Win is allowing sports clubs, event organisers, and charities to fundraise by hosting online raffles.

A minimum of half of the profits go directly to the clubs, and entrants are allowed to win cash prizes and experiences.

Dan Schofield, the chief executive, said: “We know just how important grassroots clubs and organisations are for maintaining young people’s mental and physical wellbeing.

“With so many clubs across the nation reaching crisis point, fundraising is vital to preserve these valued institutions and provide much-needed resources and equipment, such as defibrillators.”

“Unfortunately, this desperate need for funds comes at a time when many families are still suffering from reduced income as a result of the pandemic, meaning that fundraising is harder than ever. That’s where Play Fund Win comes in.

“Designed to make fundraising cashless, simple and fun whilst offering the added incentive of the opportunity to win prizes, the platform offers a lifeline to the youth organisations that do so much for their local communities.”