Games given boost from good sports

An Ashford charity bringing sport to Kent’s young and disabled school children has successfully secured funding from a supermarket scheme.

The Kent Challenger Games has secured £5,000 from the Tesco Bags of Help scheme.

Challenger Games chairman, Winston Michael, said: “We are absolutely delighted that residents of Ashford and across the South East corner of Kent voted resoundingly to support us as they recognised the immense value the Games bring to the less fortunate young children in our community.

“We thank them and Tesco for this fantastic boost to our efforts to raise the £40,000 needed to stage the games.”

Tesco teamed up with Groundworks to launch the monthly Bags of Help scheme.

Since launching in 2015, Bags of Help has awarded more than £27 million across more than 3,500 projects, with benefiting charities selected by supermarket customers.

The Kent Challenger Games will be held at the Julie Rose Stadium, Ashford on Friday, July 14 and aims to bring together 500 vulnerable school children from 50 schools, aided by military veterans, to participate in fun and games that draws out inner strengths and help achieve their true potential.

The inspiration for the event came from the Paralympics and Invictus Games, where competitors overlooked their difficulties.

Mike Hill, Kent County Council Cabinet member for community services, said: “KCC strongly supports this initiative.

“The Games are a welcome addition to sporting events in Kent that encourage involvement in activity in a proactive and supportive way helping youngsters realise their potential.”

The charity has also been nominated as the Ashford Designer Outlet’s charity of the year.

For more information on the games, visit www. kentchallengergames2017.org

To donate to the charity, visit www.justgiving.com/campaigns/ charity/kentchallenger-games/ icanchallenge

Winston Michael