- Innovative Project Launched by St Philips C of E Primary
School
ST PHILIPS C of E Primary school in Southport has introduced a 'friendship bench' in the playground where any of the school's 214 children who may be worried or unhappy can get help and support from specially trained fellow pupils.
The bench has been donated by inmates from Kirkham Prison and the Community Foundation for Merseyside was so impressed by the plan that it has awarded a £500 grant to brighten up the playground where the bench is situated. The cash is being used to create a mural providing a backdrop to the friendship area. Now sixteen young people aged 10 to 11 applied to become peer mediators and are currently undergoing special training by the Youth Offending Team's Centre for Restorative Practice to enable them to talk, listen and help other children.
Welcoming the new 'friends' initiative, Headteacher Brian Johnson explained:-
"The idea started when one of our pupils saw a TV item about friendship benches. She raised the idea at our School Council and with other pupils, and the vast majority thought it was a good idea. I'm delighted that this has finally become a reality."
The grant awarded was funded through the Children's Voices Fund, which is funded by Sefton Children's fund and the Neighbourhood Renewal fund. It is currently appealing for more grant applications from community groups who looking at innovative ways of involving and empowering children within their local community. Grants of up to £500 are currently available to groups that work with children and young people aged between 4 to13 in targeted areas of Southport and the Woodvale area. Projects should encourage young people to have a say and a voice in their local community and more funding may be available for really good ideas.
For further information on the Children's Voices Fund and other grant opportunities currently available, contact the Community Foundation for Merseyside. Tel:- 0151 966 4604.
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NORTH WEST AIR AMBULANCE REACHES OPERATION EAGLE GOAL
THE North West Air Ambulance (NWAA) has received a £500,000 residual legacy from the estate of the late Katie Caine from Thornton Cleveleys and is therefore delighted to announce the conclusion of its Operation Eagle initiative.
Operation Eagle was launched in the Summer with the sole aim of raising £500,000 for a new helicopter. The current German Bolkow helicopter, which is 30 years old, will be legally withdrawn from service in 2009. The NWAA intends to
replace it with a brand new state-of-the-art EC 135 helicopter, which will provide a faster and more efficient service and has several advantages over the present one:-
- It's quicker and smoother, with less vibration, meaning a better flight for patients
- Will be fitted with state-of-the-art technology
- More room for paramedics to work on board and be able to carry either a relative or friend of the patient
- Patients can be loaded on to the helicopter much quicker through a side door
- The helicopter has bigger fuel tanks and can fly for longer without refuelling
A statement given by the executors of her estate said:- "Katie was a lovely lady, a good friend, generous to charities all through her life and it was her wish that numerous charities would benefit from her estate. She had no immediate family and was interested in the work of the North West Air Ambulance. Katie would have been proud to think that the new helicopter would bear her name and that she would be able to help so many people from all over the region."
Lynda Brislin, chief executive of the NWAA commented:- "We had set aside 18 months to raise the additional funds needed to upgrade the helicopter and this generous donation now means that the new vehicle is on order and we can continue our work much more quickly than anticipated. Katie Caine by no means led a privileged lifestyle and we are proud that the new Air Ambulance, when it is delivered, will always be known as Katie in her memory."
It is hoped the NWAA will take delivery of the new EC 135 helicopter in December 2005.
Costing £75,000 every month to maintain, the NWAA is a registered charity which receives no mainstream funding and relies totally on the generosity of businesses and the people of the North West to keep this vital service running seven days a week, 365 days a year. To donate to the NWAA call the free donation hotline on 0800 587 4570.
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