The plan is to collect equipment around Finland during the spring months and then redistribute it to youngsters who do not have the necessary kit for the game.

The tournament has as its motto "Making Miracles" - which organisers are vowing to do "every day in every way".

"The values of the 2022 IIHF [International Ice Hockey Federation] Ice Hockey World Championship are fun, sustainability and community and this collection of used equipment is a fun and sustainable idea within our ice hockey community," 2022 Organising Committee organising secretary Heikki Hietanen said.

"In addition, it brings joy for the giver and a chance for other children to come and practice this great sport.

"Bringing used equipment for those who need it is just another example how the motto and spirit of the tournament is put into practice."

The scheme invites donations of items such as a helmet, skates, hockey sticks or neck guards.

The collection of equipment demonstrates social responsibility and sustainability, say advocates. 

In return donors will be thanked with a "reading gift" as part of a parallel initiative to encourage reading amongst young people and children.

The aim is to find new homes for at least 20,000 pieces of equipment and distribute the same number of items of reading material.

The tournament begins on May 13.

Two groups of eight teams are based respectively in Helsinki and Tampere.

Russia and Belarus were both ejected from the tournament by the IIHF following the invasion of  Ukraine and have been replaced by France and Austria.

Hosts Finland enter the tournament as reigning Olympic champions for the first time.