Help more young people in Christchurch get into sport (From Thisisdorset)

Help more young people in Christchurch get into sport

2:00pm Sunday 23rd September 2012 in Latest

The Do It for Dorset Campaign is a joint initiative between the Daily Echo and the Dorset Community Foundation – a registered charity dedicated to promoting charitable giving and grant making for charities and community groups across the county.

The Foundation works with secret millionaires, family businesses and companies, which want to give back to their community.

The Do It for Dorset Campaign aims to raise awareness and funds for charities signed up to Localgiving.com – where donors and volunteers can find out a bit more and support them.

Mudeford Wood Community Trust

This charitable trust was set up to manage the centre led by residents and supported by councillors and business professionals. The trust manages the community centre and has recently saved it from closure by raising more than £40,000 in less than a year.

It was formed as a result of a campaign started in 2010 by residents who were opposed to Christchurch, council’s consultation to close the centre.

As well as forming a protest group, the residents rallied themselves, setting up a petition and marching to the Civic Offices to demonstrate the strength of feeling among the local users and the community.

Now, led by chairman Dawn Brookes, the Trust, working with the council, is aiming to get more youngsters interested in sport with the help of local organisations.

It is one of the few places in Christchurch that promotes sports for all ages and trains volunteers to help with different projects and the day to day management of the building.

The trust is a perfect example of how the combined community efforts can save a building threatened with closure and turn it into a valuable community asset.

• Mudeford Wood Community Trust, Pipers Drive, Mudeford, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 4TR

How your donations can help

£10 – free exercise session for over 55s

£500 – new fittings and equipment for a newly refurbished kitchen

£ 1000 – new flooring for a meeting room for dance and exercise

To support the charity,please go to: http://localgiving.com/ charity/mudefordwood

Main Contacts:

Liz Sabey and Dawn Brookes – office@mwct.co.uk, 01425 276468, 07709 948809