Community groups across Cleveland have shared in more than £63,060-worth of funding from Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner.
A total of 22 organisations have shared in £63,942.53-worth of funding from the spring activity fund.
The fund will support activities during February’s half-term and Easter holidays to keep young people active, engaged and out of trouble.
By engaging with younger members of the community, Steve hopes to help combat antisocial behaviour (ASB) and focus young people’s minds on more positive pastimes.
Funded projects range from yoga, skating, basketball and guided nature walks to workshops, showing young people how to podcast and edit videos.
Hartlepool Ambulance Charity is just one of the successful charities. It received £2,000 to run First Aid Friends courses during the Easter holidays.
Founder Jason Anderson hopes that by teaching young people how to perform CPR and other first aid techniques, they may able to save a life – just as he did more than six years ago.
While enjoying a coffee with his family in Hartlepool’s Middleton Grange shopping centre, an 11-month-old girl stopped breathing.
Using the skills learned as a special constable, Jason leapt into action and carried out CPR until paramedics arrived.
Thankfully, the little girl fully recovered and the two families now keep in touch. Every Christmas, she saves her pocket money to buy Jason a coffee to say “thanks.”
He said: “We want to show the kids that they can do something other than hanging around the streets. Also, if one of their friends gets into difficulties, they can help out if they have the training.”
Cleveland PCC Steve Turner said: “Hartlepool Ambulance Charity is just one of good causes to receive funding as part of the Spring Activity Fund.
“To date, my office has provided more than £104,572-worth of grants as part of its community funding stream this year.
“I am always keen to support grass roots programmes – particularly those, which aim to combat ASB, violence and crime.”
The PCC’s Spring Activity Fund is supported by the Police Property Act Fund.