Bristol OTC Prize 2013

This year's prize is awarded to Johanna Szczyglowska (a.k.a. Scrabble) for her outstanding contribution to charity fundraising over the course of the year. Here is a little from Johanna on her activities and what she intends to do with the prize.

"Having personally fund raised for Wallace and Gromit's Grand Appeal before joining Bristol OTC I was extremely happy that the members of Minden Company chose to continue their support for the charity again. I used my position as Minden's Company Under Officer to organise fundraising events throughout the year. Wallace and Gromit's Grand Appeal is a truly deserving charity which helps sick children and their families all over the South West of England and South Wales.

2013 Grant Awards

The Jo Walters Trust is delighted to announce the Grants that have been agreed for 2013.  

Once again we had an overwhelming number of applicants and a wonderfully diverse range of projects looking for support.  With our sponsorship being sought from so many angles, the trust is endlessly impressed with the ideas individuals and groups are generating. Improving the welfare of their communities, providing opportunities for the less able or disadvantaged in society, and protecting and conserving our environment, both within our local area as well as overseas.  We feel these grants will go some way towards educating, researching, building, strengthening and most importantly, inspiring both individuals and communities.  It has been an exciting year and we look forward to following the progress of our new projects.

We’re delighted to confirm that the following projects will receive grants from the Jo Walters Trust:

• Buchan Battalion Boys Brigade: the Boys Brigade will re-introduce the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme to serve 12 companies within the Buchan Battalion.  Alongside expedition experience, the boys will gain confidence, team-work, citizenship and social skills as well as developing physically. The community will also benefit as a whole through the voluntary work required as part of the award. The Jo Walters Trust will be providing equipment for this.
• Satorishido Martial Arts Charity:  The Club has great expansion plans for a new gym to increase interest (hopefully around 200 people) from the local community to get involved in various sporting activities, regardless of their financials constraints.  The JWT will be providing equipment for this new gym in Fraserburgh.
• Upper Deeside Amateur Swimming Club: JWT will be funding professional swimming coaches for the club.  Through increasing this level of coaching from voluntary to professional, they hope to generate a greater interest for within the surrounding area, ensuring a healthy future for both the club and the children.
• Strathbogie RDA SC028682:  The RDA will be building a new portacabin to provide a warmer and safer environment for the riders, with a further expansion plan to include a classroom where riders can learn horse and stable management and develop key skills.  This will enable important training for the volunteers, and provide greater support for severely disabled riders and, importantly, will allow the club to operate during winter months.  
• Craigievar Primary School PTA: JWT is providing equipment to enable the pupils to attend forest school.  Here they will learn excitement found in nature, including bush craft skills, to give them confidence and stimulate broader knowledge outside the classroom.
• Huntly Nordic Ski Club: JWT have contributed to a new skidoo to allow volunteers to maintain the cross country ski trails in the Clashindarroch Forest, encouraging interest and participation in Nordic skiing.  This initiative has seen junior skiers enter the Olympics, so keeping this trail open is key for enthusiasts in the area.
• Bennachie Leisure Centre: JWT have donated towards the cost of two new spinning bikes for this charitable organisation, as part of an expansion plan within the gym.  Increased facilities will allow a greater number of people who can’t afford to pay gym memberships to reap the health benefits of spinning.

The Jo Walters Trust would particularly like to thank all the fundraisers who are constantly finding creative new ways to raise money, allowing the Trust to continue to give back to people and projects that need the money the most, in the name of Jo Walters.  Keep up the good work! Thanks also to everyone who took the time to apply for a grant from the Jo Walters Trust this year.