Hundreds of school children access free food and activities thanks to MK Dons Community Trust’s support
Over the school summer holidays, MK Dons Community Trust has been supporting Milton Keynes City Council with their summer Holiday Fun and Food Programme.
This summer, the City Council are putting on 23,000 free activity sessions plus meals for children and young people who get benefit-related free school meals.
As part of the programme, MK Dons Community Trust offered three multi-activity holiday camps to include sports, physical activity, arts/crafts & mentoring for young people aged 5-12.
The camps have proven to be extremely popular, with hundreds of children attending two of the camps at Hedgerows Family Centre in Netherfield and at Conniburrow and Pebbles Family Centre.
The third and final camp, running at Cold Harbour Primary School in Bletchley, in partnership with the YMCA from 10-13 August is fully booked.
The aim of the camps is to provide the children with a greater understanding of healthy food and physical activity.
They also look to build skills including teamwork and resilience through fun supervised games and activities.
All participants got the chance to engage in competitions to win MK Dons FC prizes and received access to free family tickets for matchdays at Stadium MK.
The children were also joined by famous MK Dons mascot Donny and players from the MK Dons Men's and Women's Teams.
The Holiday Fun and Food Programme was launched in 2021 following a high-profile campaign, led by England international footballer Marcus Rashford, calling for support for children in need during school holidays.
It’s designed to give children new experiences, and a welcome boost for families who might be struggling over the extended school break. This year, around 4,200 children are taking part across Milton Keynes.
An extra 700 children and young people are getting involved this summer, the highest number since the scheme began five years ago.
Hannah Bladen, Head of Community Development at MK Dons Community Trust, said: “We are proud to support Milton Keynes City Council’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme and help provide children and young people with a fun, active and engaging place to spend their summer holidays.
“We have been able to offer a wide range of activities that encourage young people to stay active, build confidence, make new friends and create lasting memories.
“By working closely with trusted organisations such as Milton Keynes Council Family Centres and the YMCA, we can help families access extra support and a wider range of services available within their community.
“It has been fantastic to see so many children taking part, enjoying opportunities they may not otherwise have access to, and enjoying visits from Donny and players from our Men’s and Women’s teams.
“At MK Dons Community Trust, we are committed to making a positive difference across Milton Keynes, and programmes like this play an important role in supporting local families during the school holidays.”
Activities can be booked by eligible families at www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/HAF
For more information on the work MK Dons Community Trust do email: information@mkdonscommunitytrust.com
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