This week, Cardigan Bay Watersports is celebrating winning a £6,275 NatWest CommunityForce award.
During a ceremony held at the Cardigan Bay Watersports centre in New Quay on Tuesday 24 January 2012, the staff and management team of the Centre were presented with a cheque for £6,275 by Huw Thomas NatWest West Wales’ CEO.
Julie Jenkins, Aberystwyth Branch Manager explains: “In July this year NatWest launched CommunityForce, a new initiative to help support local charities, organisations and groups to raise publicity for their work and attract volunteers. The programme also provided the opportunity for three groups in each of the bank’s 131 CommunityForce areas to win awards of £6,275 each. Organisations and charities applied for awards during the summer and an online public vote took place to decide which three organisations in each area would receive the awards.
“Over 5,000 eligible charities and community projects in England and Wales applied to take part in CommunityForce and over 360,000 votes were cast.”
Cardigan Bay Watersports applied to CommunityForce in order to secure support for its youth schemes, providing opportunities for young people in Ceredigion to try out a selection of watersports through taster sessions. Organised through schools and youth organisations, the sessions provide further opportunities to progress and achieve Royal Yachting Association (RYA) qualifications.
CommunityForce, which forms part of the Bank’s Customer Charter, offers organisations more than just financial support. By applying for the awards, local charities and projects became part of a local online network giving them greater visibility and the opportunity to attract volunteers from the local area. NatWest staff are also getting involved by volunteering their time and expertise.
Ceri Knapgate, Chief Instructor at the watersports centre said: “The Community Force Grant is important to Ceredigion as it enables us to continue to provide subsidised sessions that introduce our young people to the pleasures of water based activities. After all, Ceredigion has some 30 miles of coastline that is a remarkable resource for recreational, sporting activities as well as career development. New Quay’s sheltered bay is ideal for taking those first steps afloat under the supervision of our experienced instructors.”
Cardigan Bay Watersports offers a range of water based activities including sailing, kayaking and windsurfing, available to individuals and groups from the age of 8 years old. For further details and to book a session at the Centre, visit www.cardiganbaywatersports.org.uk
