POLICE and crime commissioner Davie Keane has awarded funding to two community rugby clubs in Warrington to help restart training sessions following the Coronavirus pandemic.
Woolston Rovers Junior ARFLC and Latchford Giants have both received a £1,000 grant from PCC David Keane’s Safer Communities express grant fund to purchase additional equipment, sanitiser, signage and cleaning products.
The community clubs usually provide activities for young people aged six-18 and engage with more than 450 young people from the local community between them. Since lockdown began, all activities ceased and clubs were prevented from providing activities.
This funding from the Commissioner will allow the clubs to purchase additional equipment to be used in the much smaller training sessions and to prevent sharing between groups. The equipment needs to be cleaned between usage and higher quantities of equipment is required to reduce the possible spread of Coronavirus.
Additionally, the clubs will purchase hand sanitiser for volunteers and participants and gloves and masks. Additional signage will be installed to create safe entrance and exit to facilities and thermometers for temperature checks on arrival at training sessions will all be purchased with the grant.
The express grants from the Commissioner is a funding pot which takes money from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act and reinvests it back into the community where it can make a positive difference.
PCC David Keane said: “COVID-19 has presented an unprecedented crisis in our communities with many groups and clubs being forced to close their doors. As we move into the next phase of the virus, we must remain vigilant whilst trying to return to some normality.
“Grassroots clubs provide a safe, engaging space for young people to make friends, have fun and promote positive physical and mental wellbeing.
“It’s vital that clubs are supported to restart activity when it is safe to do so and when it’s evident the correct safety measures are in place to protect young people, volunteers and their families.”
