Member Article

Darlington holiday activity club boosts school children’s skills and physical activity

Three Darlington organisations have collaborated to host a fun and educational holiday club for local primary school children.

Darlington Cares has partnered with Darlington Building Society and Darlington Borough Council’s Move More Team to run a half-term holiday club for 40 pupils from Red Hall Primary and Corporation Road Community Primary School.

The Darlington Building Society Holiday Activity Club was created with the aim of increasing children’s physical activity, improving their academic attainment and self-esteem, and providing fun activities, which are accessible to all.

The programme included numerous activities, such as table tennis, archery and even sessions in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Seth Pearson, Director of Darlington Cares, said: “The project was designed to enable children the opportunity to participate in new activities and also to take away life skills.

“In funding this initiative, Darlington Building Society is doing something really important for young people in the town. It’s vital that all children get the chance to participate in activities during the school holidays.”

The project was supported by Darlington Building Society through its pledge to share five per cent of its net profits, after tax, with local causes and activities.

Caroline Darnbrook, the Society’s Director of Products and Marketing, said: “Darlington Building Society is committed to improving the lives of the people within our community. Our members have a say in the types of activities we support and one of these areas is people helping people.

“This project was a great fit for us as we have helped to support families during school holidays and the young people have fun, while also being cared for. We hope the activities provided gave them a huge amount of enjoyment and also the opportunity to learn new skills.”

The project was delivered by the Darlington Move More Team and Martin Gray Football Academy, in partnership with The Dolphin Centre.

Move More Manager Paul Foreman said: “We wanted to deliver activities and projects to the residents of Darlington that made a real difference and a positive impact.

“Not only did the children enjoy some fantastic activities but they were also provided with healthy, nutritious meals twice a day.”

The types of charities and organisations supported by Darlington Building Society’s 5% pledge, are chosen by members, with Darlington Cares aligning with the desire to support people helping people.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Harvey & Hugo .