COMMUNITY groups and aspiring sports stars from Wyre Forest have been handed grants to help them fulfil their ambitions.
Five groups and individuals have received a share of Wyre Forest District Council’s Xpression grant scheme, which is backed by The Shuttle and is aimed at supporting sports and arts groups in the area.
It also incorporates the Ray Mercer Sporting Foundation, set up by The Shuttle in 1995.
The newly-formed professional Kidderminster Festival Orchestra has been handed £1,000 which has enabled it to get established and secure further start-up funding.
Conductor and composer Annette Jackson (pictured below) said: “The Orchestra now has its Certificate of Incorporation as a Private Limited Company, almost entirely due to the assistance of the WFDC Xpression fund for which we will always be grateful.”
Baxter College student Madison Warren, aged 15, has been given £300 funding towards more equipment and coaching costs for her budding archery career.
She said: “I am really grateful for the support the Xpression team has shown in me and hope that one day I can repay them by putting the town on the world stage map. I was truly surprised to be given this chance.”
Kidderminster Creatives have been awarded £300 for the ‘Glitter Playground’, which will feature at Kidderminster Arts Festival 2016 and is a collaboration between four district artists.
One of the artists Kate Cox said: “We are really thrilled to have been awarded Xpression funds towards our new collaboration. It’s great to be able to deliver creative ideas in our county.”
Young footballer Cameron Adams, aged 16, has been given £200, which will help fund his trip to Spain to take part in the Mare Nostrum Cup 2016 with Worcestershire Schools FA Under-16s.
He said: “I’m over the moon to have been awarded this grant towards funding my trip to Spain, in what promises to be a fantastic experience for us all. The trip offers a terrific development opportunity for the team and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Xpression Awards for their contribution”
Ten-year-old St John’s School pupil Roxy Jones-Whale was awarded £195 to help support her theatre and dancing aspirations.
She said: “I feel very thankful that the council have awarded me this grant. I will be using this at talking props theatre school to help me improve my theatre skills. This is will me strive towards being a confident and successful dancer.”
Cross country runner William Richardson, aged 17, has secured £150 which will be used to fund new trainers and physio sessions.
The 17-year-old (pictured below) said: “I am very grateful for the money and it will be a great help with all the costs required for me to keep fit and healthy and competing at my very best.
Teenage judo competitor Darcie Hancocks was awarded £150 to go towards new kit for forthcoming competitions.
The 14-year-old said: “I am using the money for Scotland International (Sportif) and for the three day camp afterwards. I shall be competing in Cadets and Juniors.”
Other recipients of Xpression cash awards were Chaddesley Corbett Rugby Club who received £200 for kit and equipment for its junior teams, BMX racer Aya Dorrell who was given £100 towards costs, fees and safety gear and 20-year-old 200m runner who secured £150 for competitions.
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