Northampton Saints Foundation are delighted to be awarded a £10,000 grant from The Openwork Foundation to support their Engage and HITZ programmes.
Both programmes use the power of sport and the values of rugby to improve the confidence and self-esteem of young people whilst providing opportunities and skills for their future.
With over 80 young people currently on the Engage and HITZ programmes the Foundation relies on grants, support from fundraisers and partnerships with corporate partners to continue its work.
Upon receiving the good news Sue Wright, Fundraising, Grants and Events Officer at the Foundation said “I am so grateful to the Openwork Foundation for continuing to support our Engage and Hitz programmes and to Ewing Associates for sponsoring our application. This grant will help us to continue providing positive futures for the young people that we support.”
Launched in 1981 to support disadvantaged people in the UK and overseas, the Openwork Foundation is both a fundraising and grant-giving fund. Since its inception they have supported over 1,500 projects in the UK and abroad and has given over £20.8 million to the community.
“The Openwork Foundation is delighted to support Northampton Saints Foundation with a grant of £10,000 towards their Hitz and Engage Programmes, allowing them to continue their essential work giving disadvantaged young people a positive future” said Lisa Willingham, Openwork Foundation Executive. "We are proud to support local communities through our grant programmes and we thank Ewing Associates for their nomination of this grant and their continued support of both Foundations”.
Just one of the young people who will benefit from the grant is Carl, who joined the HITZ programme in September. He said “I was previously on the Engage+ programme with Northampton College. I was aware of the HITZ programme and knew there were lots of opportunities to progress so I contacted the HITZ Officer and joined in September.
“Since joining I have completed work experience painting and decorating, dropped leaflets around the local area, taken part in enrichment activities and started my employability skills, Maths and English. I am looking forward to more trips out, learning new skills and gaining more opportunities. By the end of the programme I am hoping to achieve my GCSE’s and a job in construction. I have never felt so comfortable in an education setting, I've met lots of new friends too”.
