Hundreds of children benefit from active college sessions as part of £7m health and fitness scheme

PRIMARY school children enjoyed a sporty summer with Coleg Cambria.

The college’s Active Cambria programme held free sessions for youngsters across north east Wales, funded by the Welsh Government’s £7m Summer of Fun scheme and the StreetGames Fit and Fed programme.

Cambria hosted six weeks of activities which included athletics, health and fitness exercises, football, arts and crafts, and dance.

With nearly 200 young people attending the Yale Wrexham and Deeside sites throughout the holidays, Active Cambria coordinator Donna Welsh and multi-sports coach Michael Vernon were thrilled with the turnout and thanked volunteer high school and college students for their support.

“The health and wellbeing of our community, students and staff post-pandemic is paramount at the moment,” she said.

“Witnessing first-hand the impact of Covid-19 on individuals and sport clubs has been very upsetting so we plan to raise our levels and do even more to help them over the next year.

“We also understand the financial struggle families are facing and were pleased to be able to offer free activities, food and drink to the children, and would like to thank Iceland for kindly supplying us with food and drink over the course of the programme.

“Working in partnership with local businesses and third sector organisations we can continue to make an impact on our communities’ wellbeing.”

Summer of Fun activities were free and inclusive for children and young people aged 0-25, from all backgrounds and all parts of Wales, available in Welsh, English or bilingually.

Last summer over 67,500 children took part, and 88% of participants reported that it helped them to be more active.

Deputy Minister for Social Services, Julie Morgan, added: “We originally launched Summer of Fun as a response to children missing out on opportunities to socialise in activities after the pandemic, but after seeing how successful it was, we chose to run the scheme again.

“Access to high quality play opportunities is critical for the social, emotional and physical development of children.”