A CELEBRATION Evening at Rugby’s beloved 104-year-old youth club has highlighted the vital role it plays with the town’s young people.
The Bradby Club invited guests – including Mayor Maggie O’Rourke, Mark Pawsey MP, Borough Councillors and representatives of business and charities – to see the work being done by its volunteers.
Guests were treated to a tour of the club’s East Union Street premises to see its new kitchen and the popular illuminated astroturf ball court which was opened two years ago.
Mr Pawsey spoke about the merits of the club and the role it plays in providing a safe place for young people from all backgrounds to meet and make friends.
Ian Southcott, on behalf of the Rugby Benevolent Group, presented club Chair Ian Chislett with a cheque for £105,000 to help with salaries and running costs for the next three years.
Mr Chislett then told guests about the club’s Ladder of Wishes, a list of fundraising goals topped by a new gym.
He also explained the day-to-day work of the club, including games, cooking and football, and the advice it gives to young people in areas such as relationships, sexual health and consent, anger and aggression management, exploitation, gangs and youth violence, and anxiety and mental health.
The Mayor concluded the speeches by asserting her support for the club, with her husband, son and grandson having been members in the past.
Trustee Alison Ross said: “It was a successful evening with much encouragement – and hopefully leading to increased sponsorship.”
