Organisers at Burnham-On-Sea’s Zone Youth Club have this week launched a fundraising campaign to try and save the group from closure.
As first reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com last November, the club – based at the BAY Centre in Cassis Close – was set to shut due to its funding from the Town Council running out. However, we reported here in December that town councillors had extended the funding until the end of February.
The Zone Youth Club’s Chairman David Sinclair and committee are now aiming to secure the future of the organisation beyond next month.
“We’ve formed a committee of four and are starting a big fundraising push – we’re planning a new crowd-funding initiative where local businesses can pledge services or products to be auctioned on the Crowd Funder website,” he told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“We’re also working on many grant applications and are aiming to raise about £6,000 a year to keep the club going.”
“We are seeking funding from lots of different sources, not just local councils, and have already held talks with the Rotary Club, Somerset Youth Service and Somerset Community Foundation.”
He added: “It’s worth pointing out that the BAY Centre in Cassis Close where we are based is safe and self-sufficient – our concern is only about the youth club itself.”
“We have a small band of dedicated parents running the group and we are appealing for more helpers – trained is available and everyone gets CRB-checked.”
David added that the club is planning a launch event soon where further details about the fundraising scheme will be available.
“Around 20 youngsters attend the youth club each week and it’s growing – it’s so important to have a safe environment for our local children to develop their social skills,” he says. “It gives them independence, builds up their confidence and is a great community resource. It would be terrible to lose it.”
Mike Lang, BAY Centre Chairman, added: “We are very supportive of the club as far as our charity status permits – we hope that the Zone Youth Club continues for many years to come.”
