Warwickshire charity gets funding boost to help continue work in community

A Warwickshire charity is set to get a funding boost to help it continue its work in the community

The Friendship Project for Children, which operates throughout the county with the primary aim of helping children in need of some extra support, has recently had success with a recent funding application and grant.

Richard Barrett, fundraising trustee said: “We are pleased to have received two important grants.

"Firstly £7,500 from the Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner to help fund our continuing work in North Warwickshire and secondly £3,000 from the National Emergency Fund distributed by the Heart of England Community Foundation.

"Like so many charities we have lost many of our usual opportunities for fundraising at pre-planned events and donations from businesses, but still have expenditure with our team working hard to keep in contact with children in the Project and their families.

"This latter money is to help us to adapt and maintain our services for the children we support during the Covid-19 crisis in Warwickshire.

“Staff have taken part in the 2.6 Challenge to raise funds for the Project: walking and planting 26 plants, cycling 2.6 miles and exercising for 2.6 hours.

"Our Younger Friends have also been scooting and cycling 2.6 miles to raise funds for us during this difficult time.

"A local brother and sister were very keen to raise funds for a local charity and chose us as they would like to help children in need of support. They are going to cycle 350 lockdown miles during May."

The Friendship Project for Children operates throughout Warwickshire with the primary aim of helping children in need of some extra support.

All children aged between 6 and 16 are referred to the charity through children’s social services and are then matched with an ‘Older Friend’ who takes them out and spends time with them for a few hours each week.

In the current situation when so many people are in need of social contact and continuity, it is especially important that these friendships continue.

Cheryll Rawbone, chairman of the Friendship Project said: “Our volunteers are continuing to keep in touch with their Younger Friends.

"Volunteers have been making dens and sending colourful pictures of their creations to their Younger Friends to make their own.

"One inventive Younger Friend has sent her Older Friend her own homemade word search, quiz and colouring sheet.

"It is important for the children we help know their Older Friends are thinking of them, supporting them now and looking forward to seeing them after lockdown."

Since the charity started in 1986 it has supported over 1500 local children.

Children referred to the charity through children’s social services and are matched with an ‘older friend’ who takes them out and spends time with them for a few hours each week.

For more information on The Friendship Project, please visit: www.friendshipproject.co.uk, @FriendshipProj or call 0845 838 2098.