Renishaw gives financial boost to Gloucester Rugby’s community education schemes

11 November 2010

The largest business employer in Gloucestershire, Renishaw plc, has agreed to donate £15,000 over a two-year period to Gloucester Rugby’s Playing for Success scheme which provides out of school educational activities for 9 to 13 year old children. The funding has been provided by the company’s UK Charities Committee which supports charities and voluntary organisations throughout the Gloucestershire and Bristol region.

The media centre at Gloucester Rugby’s world famous Kingsholm stadium is one of the locations for the project. It is utilised on non match days, not by the media, but by children. The centre turns into a classroom where young people can learn in an exciting and stimulating atmosphere. The project also aims to build the confidence of vulnerable children, and teaches them key skills for life. 

As Gary Little, Gloucester Rugby’s Community Manager, says: “Using the ‘power of professional sport’ we aim to inspire and excite children about learning through projects such as Playing for Success.”

However, such community projects rely upon the financial support of organisations and benefactors within the area, and in the current financial climate, such support can be hard to find. As Little adds, “The investment being made by Renishaw is a timely and much welcome boost to our projects.”

Renishaw’s Charities Committee (RCC) was created over 20 years ago and is made up of employee representatives from the company’s four main Gloucestershire sites. Chair, Jeremy Chamberlain, says, “The RCC was created to support local charitable and voluntary institutions, with a particular focus on organisations that assist children, including toddler groups, educational projects, sports clubs, young carers, and support for the disabled.”

He continues, “We believe that all children should be given equal opportunities, and be given the chance to realise their potential, no matter what social situation they are brought up in, and regardless of their field of interest. We are therefore very pleased and excited to become involved in the impressive community projects at Gloucester Rugby.”

The formal announcement of Renishaw’s support for the Playing for Success (PFS) scheme was made at a recent end-of-term PFS awards presentation held at Kingsholm, attended by participating children and their families. The awards were presented by Gloucester Rugby’s centre Tim Molenaar, with Renishaw also represented by Ben Taylor, Assistant Chief Executive, and members of the RCC.

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