A MAJOR funding boost has been awarded to the Saddleworth Village Olympics which will help to make the annual event even bigger and better than ever next year.
The much-needed £3,000 has been granted to the dedicated organising committee by the Lloyds Bank Community Grant programme.
The Saddleworth Village Olympics beat off challenges from three other local good causes to claim the prize after a public vote.
Committee vice chairman Jon Mayor said: “We are all ecstatic to have won this award which was achieved through public voting in both the Bank branches and electronic media.
“We really thank all our friends and partners who helped through publicising the vote within their networks and giving us such loyal and unstinting support.”
The Village Olympics, which started 28 years ago, continues to be an important part of the area’s sporting calendar and is backed by parents, schools and voluntary organisations.
Jon added: “While we are relieved to be awarded such a large sum, the committee continue to work hard to secure funding on an annual basis.
“We are fortunate to have long-standing support from Saddleworth Round Table, Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership, Saddleworth Rotary Club and Saddleworth WI.
“We also have valuable private enterprise donations which allow us to continue to make the event as inclusive to all children as possible.
“The annual budget for the games is around £12,000 so the on-going support of our partners remains invaluable.”
Planning is already underway for the 2014 games which are anticipated to be the largest and most successful games yet.
There will be increases in some of the age ranges in sports, plans to return other events to Churchill playing fields and to increase the number of seven and eight year olds.
This year’s Village Olympics attracted more than 1,000 children who competed in 11 events over three weekends, including football, cricket, dodgeball, swimming and athletics.
Any organisations or individuals interested in supporting the games in 2014 are encouraged to contact Jon or other committee members. For more information, visit: www.saddleworthvillageolympics.co.uk
Meanwhile, Saddleworth Village Olympics will team up with Saddleworth Runners to host another Sport Relief Mile Event at Dovestone Reservoir in March 2014.
After being asked to hold their first event in 2012, which attracted 350 runners and walkers, they have been approached again for this year.
For more information and to sign up, visit: www.sportrelief.com/
You must be logged in to post a comment.