The Crossbar Foundation, a new charity supporting communities across Shropshire, is already making a positive impact to the lives of young people in the county just a month after being launched.
Development manager Andy Smith stressed he was delighted with the initial response to the Foundation, with a number of its early projects proving successful.
The Foundation's vision is to engage with local children and young adults through sport and a host of other activities, including music, and to make a difference.
The Crossbar Foundation hosted two free community fun events in Telford during the last week of the school holidays, with a free football tournament – the Arleston World Cup – at Telford College of Arts and Technology swiftly followed by a fitness fun and food camp held at the Watling Community Centre in Arleston.
Both events attracted over 100 young people between the ages of seven and 16, with the winners receiving prizes.
Andy said: "The idea was to engage young people who have been unable to engage in positive activities over the summer period. We had a fantastic two days engaging with a huge number of young people in positive activities, with both events structured to promote leadership, respect sportsmanship and teamwork skills.
"The young people who attended the football tournament managed their own teams and were very impressive. The fitness camp also involved a fantastic number of young people who took part in fitness circuits, Olympic-themed games and a theory session based around the eat well plate.
"The fitness circuits were delivered by qualified personal trainers Jack Rogers and Jamie Lambie, from Simply Gym in Shrewsbury, who passed on their knowledge and expertise."
The activities reflected the Crossbar Foundation's ethos to promote health and wellbeing, community safety and also to increase community spirit and cohesion.
The local Police team attended the football tournament to mix with children and parents while Richard Shaw, from Telford Job Box, also called in to pass on details about forthcoming community courses.
Andy added: "We would like to thank all the volunteers who helped with both events, from refereeing games at the football tournament to preparing a healthy lunch for the attendees at the fitness fun and food camp. We would also like to thank Arleston Residents Group for funding both activities."
The Crossbar Foundation's popular football inflatable, complete with speed gun to record who has the hardest shot, has also been much in demand during the summer holidays, visiting local communities and fun days in both Shrewsbury and Telford.
Children in Harlescott Grange and Monkmoor in Shrewsbury enjoyed taking part in fun activities for free when the inflatable visited while it has also been to community fun days to raise funds for the Crossbar Foundation which will be used to support future events.
The Foundation donated half of the proceeds collected at several fun days to support the running of voluntary youth clubs and community groups.
Pictured: Andy Smith, third right, from the Crossbar Foundation, with young people at Monkmoor in Shrewsbury who enjoyed taking part in a community event.
Editor is the team behind Love Shrewsbury keeping you up to date with news and events.
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