GOOD NEWS - 10th April
We don't often encourage you to leave Fleetwood but this weekend is the launch of a fantastic attraction down the coast with loads of local connections.
From Saturday 13th April until early June, Elmer The Elephant and over 30 of his uniquely decorated friends will appear on the streets of Blackpool in a huge art trail, many of them sponsored/designed by Fleetwood-based businesses, schools and organisations. It's a fundraising campaign for the wonderful Brian House Children's Hospice which supports families from all across the Fylde Coast. Sponsors and partners include ...
Affinity Lancashire
Cardinal Allen High School
Chaucer Primary School
Flakefleet Primary School
Larkholme Primary School
Partingtons Holiday Parks
Rossall Prep School & 6th Form
Shakespeare Primary School
As well as all the fun to be had finding the elephants, at the end of the art trail the larger Elmer sculptures will be put up for auction to raise as much as possible for Brian House. Thank you to all those involved for supporting such a worthy cause - apologies if we've missed out any of the local partners.
There is an excellent App for Elmer's Parade which can be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store (search 'Elmer Blackpool 2024) or visit the Elmer Blackpool website.
Fleetwood Town Community Trust has been awarded a £10,000 grant from the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund.
The support will improve the access to weight management programmes for men, whilst also increasing levels of inclusivity for women attending recreational football. John Hartley, CEO of Fleetwood Town Community Trust explains more ...
"The funds will now allow us to create a targeted men’s weight management programme, using football and physical activity as the vehicle to drive a change in behaviour and habit. The grant has also enabled us to work with our club partner, Fleetwood Town Wren’s (Ladies) to provide football for women and girls, as a progression into competition or as an introduction to playing football."
Fleetwood Town Community Trust are also re-launching 'Youth Voice' where young people can have a say about sessions they attend and what else can be provided. The Trust want young people to make a difference within their town and local community, and help leave a mark in a more positive way .. this is their chance to be listened to. Get-togthers for 11 to 17-year-olds will be held on Thursday evenings, 5pm to 8pm at the Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood.
> Contact joe.stockwell@fleetwoodtownfc.com for more information about getting involved.
And completing a hat-trick of Good News items ...
... we are delighted to be working with Fleetwood Town Community Trust to host a new event for Fylde Coast Armed Forces Veterans. A new weekly drop-in session launches on Tuesday 16th April from 10am to 1pm in the Healthier Fleetwood Information Centre - for serving members of the armed forces, veterans and their families, and for organisations offering support. Tony Codling, the Armed Forces Project Coordinator for the Trust says, "It's an opportunity to say hello and chat with like-minded veterans and meet other partners who can help you get the right information for your needs."
Refreshments will be available at this informal event, no need to pre-book and the drop-ins will continue on Tuesdays each week. For more information please email tony.codling@fleetwoodtownfc.com
Another event taking place next week is the Drop-in Memory Centre hosted by the Fleetwood Rotary Club at Emmanuel Church, Mount Road, Fleetwood.
It's on Thursday 18th April and every third Thursday of the month, from 10am to around noon. Now in its 12th year, the mornings include various interesting speakers, refreshments and a lot of fun!
Those living with dementia and their carers are welcome to attend. If you've not been before, please give the organisers a call beforehand for more details.
> Telephone 07708 568 123.
Did you attend the ROC Conversation in February? A report is now available from the organisers Redeeming Our Communities.
Thank you to Debra Green for sending through a summary of the discussions and their recommendations for the Fleetwood community. You can read the report from a link on our website here and also visit the Redeeming Our Communities website for more about their work.
Feedback on the event and the report is welcome, please email info@roc.uk.com
One of the highlights of our year is the 'Can You Grow The Tallest Sunflower' challenge with our friends from Fleetwood Wellbeing Way and it's back for 2024!
Ahead of the launch packs are being made up and inside you'll have seeds, a pot to get you started, helpful tips on growing, a recording chart and more. Will two-time winner Carol be the champion again or will there be a new name on the trophy this year? Details of the launch will be shared soon!
The Fleetwood Wellbeing Way was created by local residents in 2020 as part of a community initiative from Lancashire Mind and the charity is looking to recruit. Due to expansion there are new paid roles within Children & Young Peoples services, Housing & Wellbeing services and voluntary roles as Trustees.
If you would like to find out more, please check out their website which has all the information about each role available.
And among the many fantastic community events in Fleetwood we're delighted to support 'Bring On The Men - Monty's Encore' on Thursday 27th June at Marine Hall, raising funds for Lancashire Mind.
This is the sequel to the fabulous 2019 event "Fleetwood's Got The Full Monty" which saw the ladies of the Fylde revealing all for charity. Now it's the turn of the men to bare their souls, and more, to help raise funds for the charity. The volunteers organising the event also need help from local businesses as sponsors from as little as £50. Tickets are available now online or call into the Marine Hall Box Office, Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.
> If you'd like to be involved and make a difference please see the event page for more information or contact us and we can put you in touch.
And to close this bulletin ... a gentleman called into our Information Centre this week needing some support and in the time it took to make him a brew and make a phone call, the Men's Shed Fleetwood had offered their help.
This is just one example of the many ways the group support the local community, often unseen but always greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Please keep sending in your GOOD NEWS to share, we love hearing from you.
Until the next time, take care.
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