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MENDIP TIMES
Charity’s top award JHF staff
CLEVEDON-based charity, The Jack Hazeldine Foundation, was named Breakthrough Charity of the Year at the esteemed Third Sector Awards Ceremony in London. The charity aims to support and empower disadvantaged children and young people in North Somerset through the strength of positive relationships. They achieve this with an extensive programme of mentoring, tutoring and therapeutic provision. The accolade is for the creation of their unique, outdoor learning space, The Orchard - a stunning multifunctional outdoor classroom situated just outside Clevedon. At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the need to adapt JHF programmes became apparent very quickly and, working hand in hand with the community, the Orchard was created. The project began by securing a piece of land from a local farmer, then planning started. The swell of community support and inspiration grew and their workforce soon expanded beyond staff members to include school teachers, rugby teams, trades people, local businesses, and community volunteers. Throughout the pandemic The Orchard enriched the wellbeing of many young people and their families; it was home to hundreds of hours of mentoring and tutoring and a range of inspirational outdoor workshops.
Theatre trips are back
LANGPORT and District Red Cross are hoping to resume their fundraising coach trips to the Bristol Hippodrome next year. They are now booking for shows including Bourne’s Nutcracker, the Lion King, We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia and others. The group has a new link on Facebook at Charity Theatre Trips. Details: www.theatretrips.webeden.co.uk email Charitytheatrerips@btinternet.com or call Chris Cox 01458 273085
PAGE 68 • MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2021
Volunteers needed
AGE UK Somerset is looking for volunteers to help with its new Active Befriending service. Each volunteer will be matched with an older person who lives near them. They will join them for a walk and chat once a week, for eight weeks initially. The aim is to improve each client’s mental and physical wellbeing by providing some company alongside gentle exercise. It says loneliness is endemic among the older population and for many this is coupled with anxieties about going out following such a long time indoors. Details: volunteers@ageuksomerset.org.uk or call 01823 345623
Veterans march for charity
LOCAL veteran Paul Thorner and Paulton Councillor Grant Johnson were among 150 veterans who walked 50 miles of the Jurassic Coast in Dorset raising funds for The Rifles Charities – Care for Casualties, which supports veterans suffering with PTSD. They set off from Lulworth Cove for the three-day march, finishing at the RNLI station in Lyme Regis. After months of fundraising, Paul and Sharon Thorner, from Paulton, Paul and Sharon Thorner with their managed to raise a commemorative trophy huge £6,821 and counting. On top of this, Grant Johnson raised a further £800 from his own Just Giving page. Paul said: “I’d just like to thank everyone that has supported me to achieve such a great sum for a really important cause. We had loads of support along the walk, which made it that much easier to keep going, especially over some of the extremely steep cliffs we had to climb.” It’s hoped the walk will raise about £100,000 for the charity. Details: JustGiving and search for Paul or Grant’s name
