Blue Flames lights up kids’ holidays

A Newcastle-based not-for-profit sports club is expanding its free holiday programme for disadvantaged children thanks to a new equipment boost from a regional employer.

Blue Flames Sporting Club, in Benton, has received a £2000 grant from Durham-based family business Banks Group to support its school holiday clubs, which offer a mix of sports, games and creative activities for five to twelve-year-olds.

The funding has enabled the club to purchase new futsal goals and pickleball equipment, helping more children across Newcastle and North Tyneside access inclusive and active play opportunities throughout Easter, summer and Christmas breaks.

Amy Rutherford, operations director at Blue Flames, said: “We’ve been running our holiday camps for a few years now and they always make a hugely positive impact on the children that attend them and on their families as well.

“We’ve seen the self-confidence of so many of these young people blossoming during the days they spend with us as they make new friends, develop new skills and find new hobbies that they’ll hopefully be able to take on in the future.

“We try to give them opportunities in a supportive environment which might otherwise not be available while also keeping them busy and active, which is also a big help to their families, and we’re also able to share lots of useful information with parents and carers that could help them deal with any issues they’re facing.

“Refreshing our equipment stocks means we can keep giving children the chance to try a wide range of different activities, but we didn’t have the funds available to make any new purchases this year until Banks stepped in.

“We’re really grateful for their support and know that the new equipment they’ve funded is going to be really well used over this year’s school holidays and beyond.”

Jamilah Hassan, community relations manager at the Banks Group, whose community funds are independently managed by Point North, added: “The Blue Flames team steps up every year to make sure local kids can get active in lots of different ways and we’re really pleased to be able to support their amazing work.”

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