Whaddon youth project bid for cash

GARDENING equipment and bingo nights could be on the cards for Whaddon's Gaptime Project if it wins the Community Makeover competition.

The association has launched a bid to win £6,000 in the initiative, run in partnership with Barclay's bank.

Groups which have entered can now start to collect tokens in a bid to win the cash prize.

The Gaptime Project, which recently formed an alliance with Cheltenham Timebank, is a group of teenagers between the ages of 14 and 16 who work with the elderly community to foster good relations between the two.

The group meets every Wednesday and activities so far include gardening for residents, organising social events such as bingo nights, and hosting a barbecue for disabled people.

Anna Reeves, assistant manager of the Whaddon, Lynworth and Priors Neighbourhood Project, is eager to expand the existing project.

She said: "We're really proud of what the youths have achieved so far and the money would give them the opportunity to expand their achievements around the community."

"The project gives youths around the area something worthwhile and rewarding to do. They learn vital skills such as organisation, planning and respect, because they are fully involved in the running of each project from start to finish.

"We are aware of the division between the elderly and teenage communities that plagues the county. This scheme helps to bridge that gap. Each community learns to respect one another, and both have fun at the same time," she said.

The money would go towards buying more garden equipment for the group, as well as running more social events for the elderly residents.

Funds are also needed to help the running of the group's minibus, used to shuttle the residents to and from organised events.

"We also mustn't forget the youths themselves." said Anna. "They've put in so much hard work to help the residents, and deserve a reward too.

"Some of the money would be put towards taking them on their own fun day out, or organising a regular social event to channel their energies in a fun, safe way."

The Community Makeover scheme being run in The Citizen and sister paper Gloucestershire Echo, is in conjunction with Barclays. In total, there is a £12,000 prize fund, £6,000 for each paper.

The two groups to collect the highest number of tokens and the most text votes from now until October 14 will be winners.