CHESTER FC helped children across the Chester region enjoy ‘Healthy Holidays’ summer camps during the school holidays.

The MBNA Community Investment Programme and Chester FC Community Trust, the charity arm of Chester FC, teamed up to provide a safe and fun environment to encourage physical activity and healthy living through interactive football and sports sessions.

The ‘Healthy Holidays’ camps offers young people between the ages of 5 and 11 an opportunity to enjoy a wide range of multi-sport activities, including cricket, dodgeball, rounders, basketball, football and even child-friendly axe throwing. 

Dedicated to supporting both families in receipt of benefits-related school meals as well as those families who may not qualify for free meals but still need the extra support, the children were also provided with free breakfast and lunch each day.

The Community Trust worked closely with their network of schools in the Northwest to identify the families most in need before opening the remaining spaces.

(Image: Chester FC Community Trust)

More than 75 young people registered to attend from local schools across the three sessions, with some participants attending one or multiple days between July and August.  

Chief Executive at Chester FC Community Trust, Jim Green, said: “Our main goal has always been to create inclusive opportunities for children in our community and we’re passionate that no child should ever go without. 

“We’ve worked hard to ensure that those most in need can participate in these free and fun activities during the school holidays and these extra sessions would not have been possible without the ongoing support from our principal sponsor, MBNA.”

(Image: Chester FC Community Trust)

This holiday provision initiative is part of the ongoing commitment from the Trust’s 14-year principal partner, MBNA, as they work together to support the local community. 

Over the years, MBNA and the Chester FC Community Trust have collaborated on a range of community programmes and initiatives that have engaged more than 8,360 people, including the Trust’s mental health and wellbeing football, junior disability football, and the #LetGirlsPlay initiative.

Victoria Dowd, MBNA Community Investment Partnership Manager said: “We’re so proud to have played a role in bringing these summer camps to life, especially for those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend inclusive multi-sport activities such as this during the school holidays. 

“It's great to see so many local young people coming together to stay active, enjoy a range of sporting games, and create lasting memories, while also enjoying social time together away from school.”

For more information on the ‘Healthy Holidays’ summer camps, visit: 
https://community.chesterfc.com/community-trust-to-children-keep-healthy-in-the-holidays-thanks-to-mbna/ 

For more information on how the MBNA Community Trust supports the community, visit: https://www.mbna.co.uk/about-us/in-the-community.html.