Youth Group Gets Gas Support
19th August 2008
The Energy for Children Charitable Trust, set up three years ago by the local natural gas industry, has announced that it has provided Ballymurphy Asperger’s Youth Group with funding to buy some much-needed new facilities for the children involved.
The Group has about 20 members and meets every Thursday at the Corpus Christi Youth Centre on the Whiterock Road. Asperger’s syndrome is an autistic spectrum disorder that can cause communication and emotional problems.
The Group have recently taken special delivery of various balance and agility kits provided by the Gas Charity. These materials will now play a key role in delivering a quality social and personal development plan for the young people involved. Stephen Hughes, volunteer with the Asperger’s Youth Group, welcomed the funding by saying:
“Getting the new equipment means we can now deliver a programme for balance and health, which is a serious issue that sufferers face. It is great that we are able to offer new activities for the children and seek to further support their parents”.
Phoenix Natural Gas administers the Energy for Children Charitable Trust and it was a staff member from the gas company who nominated the Asperger’s Group for funding. David Strahan of Phoenix Supply reflected:
“I have been aware for some time of the positive effect such equipment can have on those who suffer from Asperger’s syndrome, and was delighted to hear that my application to get funding for the Group had been successful. It is really heart warming to see the children interact and develop a bond with each other”.
The Energy for Children Charitable Trust recently set itself a target of raising £250,000 for local disadvantaged children by the end of 2009.
Pic: Ciaran Matthews (15) and Anthony Duffy (13) join David Strahan (Phoenix Supply) and Councillor Marie Cush (Sinn Fein) to celebrate the arrival of the new balance and agility equipment.