Wishes granted for community (From Barry And District News)

Wishes granted for community

TWO BARRY groups are set to benefit from a £4.5k payout - and it's all thanks to the Barry & District News.

Barry YMCA and Vale plus are looking forward to receiving £1500 and £1000 respectively after a successful bid for our Gannet Foundation Funds.

The YMCA at Court Road will use the cash to run a summer activity fortnight.

This will help to give local teenagers a place to go in the long school break.

High Street-based ValePlus, which assists adults who have learning disabilities, will spend their £1,000 on a new computer.

Both groups are delighted with the award.

The YMCA'S Project Manager, Anthea Clements, told the News: "We are delighted to have been picked as recipients of this money. It secures the two-week summer play scheme, which will stimulate and challenge the children who take part."

Steve Thomas of ValePlus added: "Like most charitable organisations, we rely on donations of this kind, and it is always welcomed. The new equipment is extremely important for the people who are learning through the Open College Network courses."

Both groups will be presented with the money by Barry & District News publisher Peter John at a special reception in their honour.

Assistant Editor Sue Vincent-Jones said: "I am absolutely thrilled that three of the applications I submitted to our central fund where accepted. It was a very tough decision as we had many worthy applications and I thank every group for taking time to apply.

The third charity is Penarth Gym Club. Thanks to their work with special needs youngsters from around the Vale, many Barry people will benefit from the new equipment they are going to buy with their £2,000 grant, including Special Olympics gymnast James Savory of Court Road.