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Centre's cash battle boost

Mark Hesford
11/ 7/2008

A YOUTH club battling to keep sessions for disabled children afloat has received a boost.

Whitemoss Club for Young People in Blackley has received £250 from building firm George Wimpey Manchester through its community investor scheme.

Advertiser readers were invited to nominate local good causes in need of cash.

And the club's leader John Biggs penned the appeal, detailing vandalism suffered at the youth club's base in Southdown Crescent and the fight to keep the Wednesday Fun Club for children with special needs running.

The club will put the money towards re-launching the fun club and making the sensory garden more secure.

Mr Biggs said: "We need and welcome any financial aid we can get and I am thrilled we were one of the causes selected.

"We have been trying to get the Wednesday Fun Club up and running again because it means a great deal to the children and this money will certainly help towards achieving that."

The news comes as the club celebrates being honoured by the Queen for its outstanding contribution to the Charlestown community.

It is one of only five centres in the North West to win a Queen's Award for Voluntary Service this year. The prestigious national honour, the equivalent of an MBE, was awarded to the centre in the form of a exclusive crystal trophy for its excellent work with children in a socially interactive environment.

Mr Biggs said the award was richly deserved for the 12 volunteers who work relentlessly at the Southdown Crescent centre.

Anita Williams, sales manager for Northgate, George Wimpey Manchester's Blackley development, said: "There are youth clubs all around the country in desperate need of financial help, including Whitemoss.

"We are always looking to contribute to the community around our developments and this is the case with the Community Investor Scheme at our Northgate development."

For more information about Northgate, contact the sales team on 0845 026 5205 or call into the sales information centre on Waterloo Street, open seven days a week from 10am to 5.30pm.