OSM Benevolent Fund Match Funding Donation

Fylde Conclave No. 125
 
In 2016, Fylde Conclave made donations from its charity collections of £200.00 each to two local charities. These were the “Bridge Project” and “Aiming Higher”.
The Bridge Project is based at the Salvation Army’s Citadel in Raikes Parade, Blackpool. It was set up as an outreach to a transient and disadvantaged group of people, many of which were vulnerable and many of which had dropped through the support net provided by other organisations.
It has transformed the ethos of many clients from a “hand out” to a “hand up”. The Bridge Project works with clients to assess their needs (some of which are very complex) and either signpost them to the most effective point of contact or to work with them to work through their difficulties and move forward into a more positive and focussed life.
Round the corner on Church St is Aiming Higher. It was founded by parents of disabled children. And are made up of a group of Practitioners, Parents and Volunteers.
They support families of disabled children to attend social activities by ensuring easy access into buildings, hosting family events at suitable locations & subsidising the cost of activities. The centre contains a number of specialist pieces of equipment and facilities which are specifically designed to bring smiles to the heart and mind of the children and the supporters of the children who use the facilities.
Fylde Conclave were delighted when they received notification that their donations had been matched by the OSMBF and the
Wy. Bro. Ian Chetwynd (left) and Bro. Stuart Gay present the cheque to "Aiming Higher"
managers of the two charities were equally delighted when IPSR Ian Chetwynd and Treasurer Stuart Gay presented them with their cheques in February 2017. Both centres will benefit greatly as they each rely on public goodwill and donation to continue to reach out to some of the most vulnerable in the local community.
Read the letter of thanks here
Article and Photgraph Courtesy of Stuart M. Gay MBE