Johnny Biggs creates a youth club blog for the local people to see what current activities are taking place at the club.
please click or type in :- http://www.whitemossyouthclub.blogspot.com/ Also see Youth Club Videoes go to youtube and type in whitemoss and there are videos on the club.
Wednesday 3 September 2008
Thursday 17 July 2008
YOUTH club battling to keep sessions for disabled children afloat
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."
Thursday 6 March 2008
Lifeline set to close due to cash shortage for Special Needs
Lifeline tet to close due to cash shortage for Special Needs looks set to close because of cash crisis. The Wednesday Fun Club for special needs in Blackley, desperately needs to raise £10,000 to stay open long-term after is funding ran out. Letters warning of the possibility of the clubs closure on the 27th Febuary have already been sent out to heartbroken parents, but the clubs leader John Biggs is appealing to local businesses to step-in and try and stave off closure.
Mr Biggs said: "We have had to write a letter to parents explaining that we have to close but how can you tell children that we have ran out of money, Its heartbreaking."
It is not the first time the club has faced closure. In October last year the club, which employs five specially trained staff to provide a range of activities for 18 children aged between eight and 13, was saved by the last minute grant of £2,000 from Manchester City Council. But the cash was only enough to keep it going for four months and Mr Biggs said the club, which was launched four years ago and is the only one of its kind in the area, needs to secure more permanent funding to guarantee its long term future.
Single mum Annette Baker, whose 11 year-old son James attends the club said: "James has got Down Syndrome and can't play out like other children. He absolutely loves the club, its his social life and wishes every day could be Wednesday. I will be absolutely devastated if the club closes. Those 2 hours are precious, they give me time to do my shopping and visit my dad. I need to make sure James can access somewhere that is safe and he is included. Its the highlight of his week and i am really hoping they can find some more substantial fundind."
Mr Biggs said: "We need around £10,000 to be able to keep it going for a year. We need to be able to offer the kids some security. When you see the smiles on their faces it is so rewarding and the club also offers some rest bite for the parents. They can relax knowing their children are safe."
Councillor Mark Hacket, who had helped secure last-minute funding from the council back in October, said he was not aware that the Webnesday Fun Club was once again facing closure. He vowed to look into the situation. He said: "This is the sort of thing that the council should be funding. The Club is excellent and it is an important part of our community."
To find out what goes on at the fun club, please see the video below:
If you would like to help or get involved, please contact John Biggs by email: johnwhitemoss@googlemail.com
Mr Biggs said: "We have had to write a letter to parents explaining that we have to close but how can you tell children that we have ran out of money, Its heartbreaking."
It is not the first time the club has faced closure. In October last year the club, which employs five specially trained staff to provide a range of activities for 18 children aged between eight and 13, was saved by the last minute grant of £2,000 from Manchester City Council. But the cash was only enough to keep it going for four months and Mr Biggs said the club, which was launched four years ago and is the only one of its kind in the area, needs to secure more permanent funding to guarantee its long term future.
Single mum Annette Baker, whose 11 year-old son James attends the club said: "James has got Down Syndrome and can't play out like other children. He absolutely loves the club, its his social life and wishes every day could be Wednesday. I will be absolutely devastated if the club closes. Those 2 hours are precious, they give me time to do my shopping and visit my dad. I need to make sure James can access somewhere that is safe and he is included. Its the highlight of his week and i am really hoping they can find some more substantial fundind."
Mr Biggs said: "We need around £10,000 to be able to keep it going for a year. We need to be able to offer the kids some security. When you see the smiles on their faces it is so rewarding and the club also offers some rest bite for the parents. They can relax knowing their children are safe."
Councillor Mark Hacket, who had helped secure last-minute funding from the council back in October, said he was not aware that the Webnesday Fun Club was once again facing closure. He vowed to look into the situation. He said: "This is the sort of thing that the council should be funding. The Club is excellent and it is an important part of our community."
To find out what goes on at the fun club, please see the video below:
If you would like to help or get involved, please contact John Biggs by email: johnwhitemoss@googlemail.com
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