A grant of £5,000 will support the Vista Twisters Cheer Programme for children in Folkestone and Hythe.
A Kent Community Foundation grant of £5,000 will allow Vista Twisters to purchase five large floor rolls to launch indoor cheerleading activities at Folkestone Sports Centre. One of only three cheer leading programmes in Kent, Vista Twisters, who currently offer cheer leading in schools in Ashford and Dover will extend their reach by opening in Folkestone & Hythe.
Cheerleading is rapidly increasing in popularity as it engages children in physical activity, provides a group environment developing social skills and togetherness, develops organisational skills and leadership within a supportive team context, improves physical and mental health, builds self-esteem and confidence and offers a supportive social environment.
Ruth McDade Clapson Programme Director for the Twisters said, “We know there is a significant demand for cheerleading and this grant from Kent Community Foundation will open huge opportunities for children and young people to participate in sport and for Vista Twisters to work closer with schools in Folkestone & Hythe. We currently deliver sessions in schools in Ashford and Dover and applied for financial help to launch new classes in Folkestone & Hythe. Setting up a satellite section of our club will provide Folkestone & Hythe with a new sporting opportunity for children and young people to participate in sport and for our club to work closely with schools to ultimately produce world class athletes.”
Josephine McCartney, Chief Executive, Kent Community Foundation, said “Cheerleading is one of the fastest growing sports in the World. The UK now has over 400 clubs and in 2020 cheerleading was recognised as a sport by the International Olympic Committee. We were delighted to support the application from Vista Twisters to introduce cheerleading to Folkestone & Hythe and ensure more young people across the county can access this popular activity.
To contact Kent Community Foundation about funding for charities and community groups call 01303 814500, email admin@kentcf.org.uk or visit www.kentcf.org.uk/funding
About The Vista Twisters
Vista Twisters provide offer cheer leading in Ashford, Sittingbourne and Dover and the grant from Kent Community Foundation will allow them to open sessions in Folkestone & Hythe.
Launch Sessions will be at the Folkestone Sports Centre on a Tuesday 4-5pm and 5-6pm for age 4 to 16, starting in July/August.
To register text ‘Folkestone Cheer’ to 07841997211 or use the link on their Facebook page.
www.facebook.com/vistatwisters
About Kent Community Foundation
Grant-maker Kent Community Foundation has been finding, funding, and supporting some of the smallest voluntary organisations in the county for twenty years. In this time, it has distributed over £50 million to support thousands of small charities and deserving causes where a modest sum of money can make a significant impact.
They are part of a UK wide accredited network of forty-seven Community Foundations who are committed to improving the lives of local people and communities, particularly the most vulnerable, isolated, and disadvantaged by matching those who want to help, with those who need the help.
Responsible for more than ninety philanthropic funds, Kent Community Foundation is unrivalled in its knowledge of local causes and assists individuals, families, and businesses, who want to help, to establish and administer their own charitable funds.
