4th December 2007, 07/424
Youngsters go the extra mile for charity!
Teenagers showed pedal power when they raised thousands of pounds
for charity after being given bikes through the Safer, Stronger
Communities Fund.
Two special youth projects were recently funded through the
£3.7million Neighbourhood Management project to make Digmoor,
Moorside and parts of Tanhouse cleaner, greener and safer.
One of them was for Lancashire County Council Youth and Community
Service to purchase cycles to take 14 to 16 year olds on charity
bike rides.
As a result of this a group of young people recently did a coastal
trek around Britain and managed to raise £2,645 through
sponsorship, which is to be split between two charities - the Baby
Emma Appeal and Alder Hey.
Funding has also helped with a second youth initiative to promote
good citizenship by allowing youngsters to work with the emergency
services to give them a flavour of what they do.
MP Rosie Cooper, Chair of the West Lancashire Local Strategic
Partnership, said: "It's fantastic to see that not only youngsters
but charities are benefiting from such worthwhile initiatives. They
have raised a tremendous amount of money and should be thanked. I'm
delighted that the Local Strategic Partnership has been able to
support initiatives of this type though the Safer, Stronger,
Communities Fund."
This latest project is one of many community activities that have
been funded through the Safer, Stronger Communities Fund.
The most recent one was the successful temporary ice-skating
facilities. It was so successful that it is likely that a second
similar initiative will take place next year.
Margaret Highton, Chairman of the Neighbourhood Board, said: "The
ice-skating was hugely popular with the community and we had almost
2,000 visitors using the facilities. The young people really
enjoyed themselves and the community pulled together to make sure
that it was a huge success. Fingers crossed we will be able to do
something like this again."
There are further plans in the pipeline to spend the remaining
money on projects that will benefit the community.
Cllr David Westley, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, said:
"There's so much happening in Digmoor, Moorside and parts of
Tanhouse as a result of this windfall money we were awarded in
April 2006. What most impresses me is the spirit of the community
who continue to work with us to deliver exciting projects that will
benefit the areas and make them cleaner, greener and safer."
Anyone who would like more information about the project in general
can contact Chris Skinkis/Karen Warmington at the Neighbourhood
Management Office, on 01695 737808 or email neighbourhood.management@westlancsdc.gov.uk.
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