Programmes to help make sure children living in poverty in Warrington don’t go hungry over the summer holidays, to offer free and low-cost fitness schemes to disadvantaged young people in the town, and to pilot a Warrington volunteering scheme for a national eating disorders charity are all to receive grants from our Healthy Communities Scheme.
We’ve announced that the initiatives by Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation, Warrington Youth Gym and Beat will be the first to receive a share of our funding to help improve health for local people in the coming year.
We’re already supporting charity Life After Loss this year on work with Warrington Hospital to help parents cope with stillbirth, but we also issued a call-out to other projects seeking funding to work on health issues in our town.
Our CEO Jonathan Murphy says: “We know from GPs using our buildings that some of the health challenges we face have never been greater – and that’s where our fund is aiming to help.
“We’re delighted to be supporting these three great causes, which each have particular impact for children and young people – ultimately, if we can support better health for children now, we can help ease the pressure on the NHS in the future.”
Grants awarded:
BEAT eating disorders charity:
£2,000 to support the work of its national helpline in Warrington, and to recruit and train five volunteers to help support eating disorder sufferers from its base at Birchwood. Corporate Fundraising Manager, Sadie Miller, said: “Having been awarded these funds is great news for us and we are really grateful to Assura for their generosity. The money will help local people getting the right support and treatment as soon as possible, which we know, is key to their full and sustained recovery.”
Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation:
£1,600 to fund lunches and drinks for more than 160 children taking part in the foundation’s four-week summer activities programme in Orford. James Howes, Sport and Lifestyles Manager, said: “The school holidays should be a fun time for families but these breaks put an extra burden on the food budget of those most in need. Nearly one fifth of parents in the UK struggle to feed their children 3 meals a day and the impact on a child’s physical, cognitive and emotional development as a result of poor nutrition is well documented. The provision of a comprehensive programme of sport and physical activity throughout August where youngsters will be provided with a nutritious lunch as part of the day will ensure that they are given the best possible opportunity to sustain healthy lifestyle choices”.
£1,595 to help offer free, bespoke sessions for disadvantaged teenage girls and young people with disabilities – who often report finding it difficult to get involved with sport and exercise. Jamie Patterson, Grants and Trusts Fundraiser from the club said: “We are delighted with this generous support from Assura. The funding will be so important in opening up sport and fitness opportunities for some of the town’s most disadvantaged young people.”