SARA INSPIRES VOLUNTEERS

SARA GRIFFIN, 19, has always wanted to work with children. Now she has achieved her dream, after volunteering for Activate, the NCH Children's Fund project on Moss Bank.

Within months of sparing some free time to help St Helens children, Sara had gained so much experience to add to her NVQ in childcare that she was offered paid employment as a play worker.

Sara is delighted with her new job and said of her achievement:- "I started volunteering at the Moss Bank Youth Centre, but found out that the Children's Fund project had younger kids, so I asked the manager if I could come. I'd always wanted a job like this.

The most rewarding thing is seeing the young people gain in confidence. I've told a lot of people that volunteering is good. Even if you don't get a job out of it, giving up your time to help is important otherwise the project couldn't continue" 

Activate is managed by the Youth Service, St David's Church and the local tenants and residents association - is one of a number of NCH Children's Fund partnership projects. It works in Moss Bank to enable local children who are aged between 5 to 13 allowing them to grow up safely and happily. 

A spokesman NCH Children's Fund said:- "People like Sara play a key role in helping the young people who use our services reach their full potential."

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WONDERFUL WEEKEND IS PART OF MERSEY RIVER FESTIVAL

THIS year’s Southport Pier Extravaganza will be taking place in conjunction with the Mersey River Festival.

Sefton tourism officers have joined forces with organisers of the festival so that the celebration of the River Mersey stretches the entire length of the Merseyside coast. Wirral Council is also taking part with a range of events during the festival from June 18 to 2.

The link-up, which has included financial backing from the festival, will also ensure marketing opportunities are maximised so even more visitors are attracted to the Merseyside area.

Southport Pier Extravaganza on  19 and 20 June is one of two events taking place in Sefton as part of the Mersey River Festival. The other is at Crosby Marine Park on the same days. 

For the second time the Southport Pier Extravaganza will be staged on the resort’s Victorian landmark pier and seafront from 10am until 4pm on both days.

The extravaganza will once again offer a fun-filled programme of entertainment including a host of hilarious street artists and costumed characters, giant garden games, surf simulators, face painting, hair braiding and a daring aerial display finale.

Lord Fearn, Sefton’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, said:- “The Southport Pier Extravaganza is an action packed weekend of family fun and entertainment. And because of the extra advertising and marketing that is taking place as a result of the event running in association with the Mersey River Festival we expect to see a lot more people on the pier during those two days.”

Dune FM will also be broadcasting their own live ‘end of the pier’ show on the Saturday from 10am until 1pm with breakfast show host Derek Marks.