Alcester residents enjoy a day trip to Weston-super-Mare thanks to the generosity of local charities
MORE than 100 Alcester residents enjoyed the sights and sounds of the seaside thanks to the generosity of several local charities.
Two coachloads of parents, children and young people spent last Tuesday (8th August) in Weston-super-Mare following an initiative by community development worker Ali Buchanan after she became aware that due to the current economic climate there were several local families that were unlikely to be able to afford go on holiday this year.
Fundraising began with a collection outside Waitrose, in Alcester, followed by a raffle stall at the annual court leet street market. In addition, Ali applied to several local charitable organisations and was delighted by the response.
“We were overwhelmed by the generosity of local organisations, they have been absolutely fabulous. We had enough for the transport and ice creams for the kids as well the potential to repeat it next year. It’s all good news,” she told the Herald.
“The trip went brilliantly. The rain stopped when we arrived and didn’t start until we left so we were very happy. Everybody had a fabulous time, and the kids were very excited to see the sea.”
Generous donations came rom the following organisations: Alcester Food Festival, Alcester Lions, Alcester Rotary, Church Street Properties, Alauna Lodge 6626 and Warwickshire County Council.
The project is one of several new initiatives that are being overseen by the Alcester Health and Wellbeing Partnership.
Initially formed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, it relaunched in April with a remit of improving the health outcomes of people living in and around Alcester.
Chaired by Alcester town councillor Mark Cargill, the partnership is looking at a wide range of projects on a number of issues such as teenage contraception, young carers and mental health.
He said: “Alcester has a proud tradition of community health and wellbeing activities, and the partnership is a natural progression of that. Being in direct and regular contact with residents, the partners are ideally situated to assess the community’s wider health needs. Issues identified are brought to the partnership where a strategy is developed to address them.
“Physical and mental health issues are supported with a diverse range of initiatives and activities for residents.”
A number of new projects in the pipeline are to be announced shortly and any organisation wishing to join and help make a difference to the lives of Alcester residents would be welcomed.
The partnership currently includes Alcester Town Council, Stratford District Council, Warwickshire County Council and Alcester churches.
