Wildcats launch Children in Need project
Wakefield have launched their new Children in Need Project, “Give it a TRY, Aim High”, with the help of World Cup referee Howard Webb and Pudsey bear.
The Wildcats successfully received a grant from Children in Need to fund the project in July of this year. The project provides a learning programme that will improve and develop children’s literacy, numeracy and IT skills, with Rugby League occasionally being used as a learning vehicle.
Wakefield Wildcats were delighted to have World Cup Final Referee, Howard Webb, as a special guest, to officially launch the Children in Need project. The former Rotherham-based policeman who took charge of the fiery Final between Spain and Holland in South Africa, launched the ‘Give It A TRY, Aim High’ programme earlier this afternoon and it was an honour to have him with us.
The launch took place during dinner time at St Michael’s Primary School in Wakefield. All the children were extremely excited to meet Children in Need’s Pudsey Bear and our very own Daddy Cool and queued to get photos and autographs with Howard.
Key partners of the Club, Guy Salmon, were in attendance and great thanks must to go them for the use of their ‘Defender’. PC Mick Amos, volunteer Holly Buxton, Associate Director of the Wildcats Richard Venables, Wildcats Community Trust Manager Davide Longo, Community Development Officer Dan Hardy, Lisa Stagg, Events Coordinator at ASDA, Head Teacher Mrs Jane Senior and 20 school children involved in the project were all present at the launch.
Wildcats Community Trust Manager Davide Longo commented, “Give it a TRY, aim high is a fantastic project, it aims to use the power of sport, particularly rugby league, and the Wildcats to engage children in out of school learning, providing them with a unique learning environment situated in familiar surroundings. I would like to thank all of our project partners: Children in Need, Guy Salmon Wakefield, Asda Wakefield and Santander Foundation for their much valued support and of course Howard Webb for giving up his time for us today.”
Mr Webb added, “It is so good to see young people taking part in learning activities outside of school. This facility is second to none and it has been a pleasure to be here and officially launch the programme.”