Cash offer to fight flab (From The Northern Echo)

Cash offer to fight flab

6:18pm Wednesday 26th November 2008 in Search

LOCAL sports clubs, community groups and children’s organisations are being urged to apply for grants to encourage outdoor activities for youngsters.

The Playing Out scheme aims to get more young people aged 19 and under taking part in outdoor physical activity.

The funding, up to a maximum of £10,000, is for organisations offering opportunities to take part in more non-traditional sporting activities like street games and orienteering at either purpose built play and sports areas or other open spaces like parks or recreation fields across the borough.

Stockton Borough Council is administering the funding from the Stockton-on-Tees Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT).

As well as directly providing activities for young people, organisations and groups which are successful with their applications can use the funding to buy equipment, market their club and increase qualifications for coaching staff.

The main aim of the Playing Out funding is to increase participation in sport and physical activity and help halt the year on year rise in obesity amongst children and young people.

Councillor Ken Lupton, Leader of Stockton Council, said: "We’re working in close partnership with the PCT on this project which we hope will play a major role on combating childhood obesity. We’re keen to receive applications from as many groups as possible, this money is there for the taking."

For more information or to request an application form which must be submitted by Monday, December 8 contact emma.turnbull@stockton.gov.uk or call 01642-524962.