Brightlingsea WinterFest’s positive role in the community has been reinforced by the distribution of more than £1,500 from its Wellbeing Fund and the inclusion of the WinterFest logo on Brightlingsea Regent Football Club’s (BRFC) away kit.
The latest round of grants from the WinterFest Wellbeing Fund has given much-needed help to people in Brightlingsea for activities to help improve their mental and physical health.
Tickets for sessions at Brightlingsea Lido, horseriding lessons for children with disabilities, family gym membership, holiday outdoor activities, piano lessons and gardening tools for a project for young people were among the requests granted.
The grants were made possible by donations to the Wellbeing Fund at this year’s WinterFest, Brightlingsea’s annual festival of music, arts and spoken word.
WinterFest’s strong links with other community organisations in the town have been given a further boost by the adoption of the WinterFest logo by Brightlingsea Regent Football Club for their away kit for the coming season.
Dave Griffiths, co-founder of Brightlingsea WinterFest said: “We are delighted to have been able to distribute the latest round of grants from our Wellbeing Fund, thanks to the generosity of audiences at this year’s WinterFest.
“The applications we received highlight how much support people need and some people’s situations are just heart-rending. The grants have made a great difference to people’s lives, especially at a time when so many are struggling to pay for anything extra for their families to improve their wellbeing.
“We are also delighted that Brightlingsea Regent Football Club have literally taken Brightlingsea WinterFest to their hearts and will be sporting the WinterFest logo on their shirts for their away games this season. The football club’s community-based ethos fits perfectly with WinterFest’s aims, to help improve people’s mental, physical and social wellbeing.”
George Jones, media officer for BRFC said “We felt that the mission and aims of WinterFest form a vital part of the community and we wanted to help them promote awareness of their Winterfest Wellbeing Fund to boost the physical and mental wellbeing of Brightlingsea residents.”
Pictured from left to right with the new away kit featuring the WinterFest logo are Dave Griffiths, co-founder of Brightlingsea WinterFest, Terry Doherty, chairman of BRFC, Eamonn Lorimer, WinterFest crew member and Alix Sheppard, co-founder of Brightlingsea WinterFest. Photo by Neil Osborn.