MUSICAL BOOST FOR OLYMPUS GIRLS
4th April 2006
The Olympus Girls Club has received a musical boost from the Phoenix Energy for Children Charity after it was announced that they had been successful in applying for funding support
The Energy for Children Charity was set up this year by the natural gas industry and aims to raise £100,000 towards local children’s needs.
The Olympus Girls fitness and dance club is based at Mount Gilbert Community College and is enthusiastically attended by young girls from all over west and north Belfast.
George Gillespie, whose wife Mary is Leader in Charge of the club, saw the opportunity to help when his employer Phoenix Natural Gas formed the children’s charity to celebrate its 10th year in Northern Ireland.
He nominated Olympus Girls Club for funding to purchase a much-needed music teaching box to improve the club’s dancing and aerobics lessons. The girls presently use a CD player, but the purchase of this special portable system will enable the instructors to slow down the music to teach the more difficult steps and movements.
Mary Gillespie, Leader in Charge, said, “The club aims to promote a healthy lifestyle through the teaching of dance and exercise. Above all we aim to provide enjoyment and to boost self-esteem. Most of our members live in deprived areas of north and west Belfast, and the activities we provide help them work and play together in an enjoyable healthy environment. This award will benefit everyone in the club and we are delighted to receive it.”
Pictured: George and Mary Gillespie join some of the Olympus girls in celebrating the news that the club will be receiving funding.