News 2008

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July 2008

GO GARETH!!

Jacqueline, Steph, Di and everyone at Kidz2gether would like to wish Gareth Robinson the very best of luck as he takes part in his first ever half marathon in Nottingham on September 14th. Gareth has recently taken over as Chair of BWSA who so kindly had us as their chosen charity last season - and now can't get rid of us!

He has very kindly decided to raise much needed funds for us and will be sporting one of our rather fabulous vests around the course.

We sincerely hope his knees hold out, the weather is kind and the route is either flat or has a slight downwards incline.

Anybody wishing to sponsor Gareth for this particular sporting endeavor can do so by contacting Jacqueline or Steph on the usual numbers.

May 2008

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BWSA

Kidz2gether are very proud to have been this seasons chosen charity for Bolton Wanderers Supporters Association and would like to say an enormous thank you to Sharon, Jackie, Chris Gareth and all the other friends they have made over the last few months. Local support means the world to us and many of our children and young people are avid BW supporters so the trips to the Reebok and opportunities to meet the players has been a real treat for them.

On 28th Feb we attended the Charity Auction Night where Danny Guthrie, Joey O'Brien and Amir Khan popped along to lend their support and on May 1st we were very honoured to be asked to take along some children to present the Player of the Year awards. Three injured first team players came along and were wonderful with us, taking time to talk to the children, sign autographs and pose for many, many photograph. Big thanks to Jussi, Nicky and Kevin (and Lofty the Lion) for taking time out from their busy schedules to make 3 of our lads very happy.

Westhoughton Rotary.

For the 3rd consecutive year we had the pleasure of attending a fabulous evening with the boys to be presented with a share of the Santa Sleigh money. Each recipient is given a 2 minute slot to give a brief presentation to explain who the heck they are and what on earth it is they do. In a bid to outdo last years poem and the year before dress up sketch J and S devised, created and delivered a puppet show. Despite the fact that several of the front row viewers got squirted with water it proved to be very successful and very much enjoyed. It was really good to meet up with the other groups and charities and once again we had a lovely evening.

Fishing and Canoeing.

Thanks once more go to Scottish Bob and his team of intrepid fishermen who provided 6 of our youngsters with a great mornings casting and catching at their new dam on Deans Road in Swinton. The weather was very kind to us and all concerned managed to catch something (trees and nearby plants included). Arrangements have been made to go back in the summer and we're looking forward to landing the big beastie from the bottom once more.

Our first canoeing course has now ended, many thanks to Pete for coaching and providing such necessary equipment as the canoes themselves. The boys that took part will hopefully have the opportunity to practise their skill on open water this summer when we visit either the Anderton Centre locally or the Water Adventure Centre in Manchester.

I'll have a P please Janet

On 29th March 2008 we hosted our first ever quiz night at Smithills and Heaton Conservative Club. Our esteemed chair Mrs. Janet Malloy set the questions and 12 teams battled it out for first place which was won fairly and squarely by Jacqueline, Steph, Phredd and Cath!! As if that wasn't strange enough the deciding question was about football and it was Steph who got it right!! A really good night (and supper) was had by all and it is hopefully something we will be able to do on a regular basis.

Lovely Ladies.

On 9th April Steph and Di went to give a talk to Heath Charnock and District Womens Institute at Rivington Church Hall. A very raucous time was had by all and we were made to feel extremely welcome by all the ladies who at first must have wondered what on earth had noisily burst through the doors at the very last minute armed to the teeth with pop up banners, photographs and leaflets!

Club news.

All of our clubs and activities continue to go from strength to strength and we have recently started up a second trampolining group for our younger age group (5 - 9) on a Tuesday evening at St James's in Farnworth. Both the swimming groups are full with waiting lists and places are few and far between on most of the other activities. The summer programme is now under construction and we hope to have details finalised over the next couple of weeks so that invites and information can be sent out in plenty of time.

Children in Need.

We got awarded a grant!!!!

Kidz2gether are thrilled, delighted and still a bit dumbstruck to announce that after several attempts we have been successful in gaining some funding from Pudsey Bear himself! The money will enable us to take on addition outreach staff which will in turn allow us to increase the frequency and variety of clubs and activities and so hopefully be able to reach more of our children and young people more of the time.

Quality Mark

On 7th May J and S attended a bit of a posh lunch at Manchester Town Hall where they were presented with a Quality Mark Award from The Community Foundation for Greater Manchester. This is in recognition of the excellent quality of the feedback and evaluation information provided after a grant has been awarded by them. Hopefully the logo which we can now display on our letter headed paper will soon be a nationally recognised standard and serve to promote us as a tip top group to fund. The award is made for 3 years at the end of which we are able to reapply to be assessed again.

The Wrong Doors.

Following on from the 5 week media course we ran in November the team from 'Banana Studios' were proud to premiere their first short film entitled 'The Wrong Doors' . A clever combination of comedy and cutting edge politics it was written, filmed, lit, stage managed and dressed by 10 of our 10 - 16 year olds. Many thanks to their parents for their support as well as to Mikee B and Eve for all their hard work.

Manchester 10K.

May 18 saw the annual charge along Deansgate that is The Great Manchester run. 30 top class athletes wearing K2G vests pounded the streets in a bid to raise much needed funds and have a jolly good day into the bargain. Times ranged from 45 minutes to 1hr 38 mins and we are exceptionally proud of everyone who took part on our behalf. Well done!!

The date for the race next year has been announced as 17th May 2009 and we would love to have a team of 50 there. Any takers??

14th February 2008

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Yee Har!!

Big wild west style thanks go from us to everyone involved with the Western Spirit Charity Team who organized a fabulous evening in our honour on Saturday 2nd February.

In what has to be the biggest departure from our normal blue on blue uniform Janet, Jacqueline, Steph and Di dressed up as fitted the "Cowboys and Saloon Girls" theme and moseyed on down to Rumworth Hall. It was not the warmest of evenings and feather boas don't provide the best protection from the cutting Bolton wind so we were mighty glad to get inside!

As well as line dancing and an array of costumes there was a tense shoot out (Dude was the ultimate winner with Lefty coming a close second) and more than a smattering of Indians on the horizon.

A good time was had by all and in one evening they managed to raise an incredible £1,030!

Bolton 0, Portsmouth 1 (boo hiss)

On Saturday 9th February the very lovely Sharon and Jackie from BWSA arranged for K2G to have 6 free tickets to attend the match at the Reebok. Despite the fact that Wanderers were beaten it was a lovely afternoon, the sun shone - straight into our eyes mostly - and the 4 young men we took with us had a great time. We were given a lovely mention over the P.A system at half time which we weren't at all expecting but were thrilled to get and massive thanks go to all involved for making us feel so welcome. J and S are to speak at the BWSA Charity Auction Night in the Premier Suite on Thursday 28th Feb and are really looking forward to it.

Hurray for Aunty Viv!

Without the support of so many of our family and friends it would be almost impossible for K2G to do what it does best and offer support to children and young people affected by ASD. They remain entirely behind the scenes working extremely hard on our behalf but are in no way forgotten or unappreciated. One such super hero is Steph's Aunty Viv who spends countless hours in her studio at home designing and hand making the most beautiful greetings cards. Each and every one bears our logo and is lovingly made and sold and the profits are then donated to us. Jacqueline, Steph and everyone connected with K2G would like to say an enormous thank you to her for everything she does and will be putting in their orders for Mother's Day cards in the next couple of days!

Page Updated: 02/08/2008