Shrewsbury Rotary club donates £250 to help local children

Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club is donating £250 to a foundation providing free activities and support for children and families.

The 4 All Foundation, established by The Marches Academy Trust, will receive the donation following a presentation to members of Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club about its work in the community.

Gemma Hargreaves spoke to the club about the foundation's work at Harlescott Grange Centre, which it took over running this autumn.

Located in one of the most deprived areas of Shropshire, the centre provides a range of activities and support for local families.

These include a daily breakfast club for pupils at Grange Primary School, a weekly youth club, cancer support and wellbeing sessions funded by Lingen Davies, creative arts activities and holiday programmes.

The holiday activities include seaside trips and free family fun days, with all youth and community provisions offered at no cost to ensure families are not excluded because of financial circumstances.

The foundation is also working with corporate partners to renovate the centre and hopes to secure more resources to extend its opening hours.

Gemma said: “This will bring joy into children’s lives. We are always looking to put on holiday activities and future events.

“More importantly, we have a lovely centre and we need resources to ensure it can be open for more hours a day.”

Gareth Watkins, the club's immediate past secretary, said Rotary had a strong focus on supporting local organisations.

“We do have an emphasis as a club on making things happen locally and try to support local organisations to make an impact,” he said.

The club has now agreed to donate £250 to support the foundation's work.