281103 Disadvantaged youngsters have fun thanks to lottery fund grant

28 November 2003

Disadvantaged youngsters have fun thanks to lottery fund grant

Over 200 children with disabilities and special needs have enjoyed adventures beyond their wildest dreams since Wirral Swallows and Amazons Adventure Group first started, and the good times will continue to roll as the group secured £28,748 in lottery funding from the Community Fund.

The Swallows and Amazons is a small community led group, based in the Wirral that was set up in January 2003 to structure and organise adventure courses to help increase self confidence and promote personal development.
The famous film star Virginia McKenna is the Patron of the group – who herself starred in the original 1974 Swallows and Amazons film, and has an avid interest in the groups activities.

Just a few of the activities enjoyed by the youngsters include white water rafting, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, horse riding, archery, climbing cliffs, abseiling, 10 pin bowling and swimming in lakes and indoor pools.

The group work closely with special schools and is run by a small group of volunteer Trustees with over 20 years experience in caring for special needs children and young people.

Co-founder and Chair Person Beverley Anderson of the Swallows and Amazons Group, said:

“We are so grateful that the Community Fund recognises the need for our work, these children have experienced things beyond their wildest imagination which has helped them to develop physically, mentally and spiritually. The activities we are able to provide are so important especially for special needs children, to help promote positive attitudes and encourage a real lust for life”

The funding will help pay for organised specialised adventure courses at approved Educational Activities Centres.

Notes to Editors

The Community Fund shares out money raised by the National Lottery to charities and to voluntary and community groups. Out of every £1 spent on the National Lottery the Community Fund gets 4.7 pence.
The legal name of the Community Fund remains the National Lottery Charities Board.Since 1995 Community Fund has awarded over 58,000 grants worth more than £2.6 billion to UK charities and voluntary groups Full details are available on our website at www.community-fund.org.uk

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