Strongbones
Essex charity to receive funding boost for garden education packs
Strongbones, an Essex based charity set up to help families who have children suffering from all forms of serious conditions of the bone, is to benefit from a funding boost from the Country Land and Business Association Charitable Trust (CLACT).
The CLACT is funded almost entirely by subscriptions and donations from members of the CLA, an organisation which represents around 28,000 farmers, landowners and rural businesses.
It provides grants to charities and community organisations across England and Wales who share its vision to help connect young people who are disabled or disadvantaged with the countryside.
Strongbones, based in Romford, is to receive nearly £6000 which will go towards providing educational garden packs to wheelchair users with complex needs who are socially isolated due to their clinical vulnerability.
These packs will provide recreational and educational activities on how to grow food and the importance of natural food resources. They will teach children to nurture and care for plants and the importance of the countryside.
Strongbones Charity Manager, April Fitzmaurice, said:
“We are extremely grateful to have been awarded funding from the CLA Charitable Trust to support our work. We have already had a trial of the garden packs and they have gone down really well with the children. We can’t wait to use them more.”
Since its foundation in 1980, the CLACT has given more than £2m in grants to a wide variety of organisations and projects.
Bridget Biddell, Chairman of CLACT, said:
“Strongbones is doing some incredible work in helping families and disabled children with complex needs.
“The CLA Charitable Trust is dedicated to supporting those who are disabled or disadvantaged to visit and participate in learning experiences about the countryside. The garden education packs at Strongbones are a fantastic resource to be able to do this.
“The trustees and I are delighted that we are able to support Strongbones work, which will have significant educational and therapeutic benefits for many people.”