SEEING the beaming smiles and confidence boost being out on the water has on the youngsters who belong to Glanford and Scunthorpe Canoe Club makes it all worthwhile, says Michelle Bourne, the club’s fundraiser.
With between 80 and 100 regular members, there’s something for everyone, from canoeing and kayaking to paddleboarding and exhilarating six-person katakanus.
“Anybody can join,” says Michelle. “It’s a great thing to do. You see all the wildlife on the water.
“We’ve got people when they first arrive who used to say, ‘Oh I don’t think I want to go in.’ We say, ‘OK, there’s no problem, then don’t go in. We only want you in the water if you feel comfortable.’
“Before long they’re ‘Oh, I think I’ll give it a go.’ Now, they’re racing, carrying boats on their shoulders. And they don’t think anything of it.
“I see young people who were timid, young people coming along seven years ago bag-packing with us at Tesco to raise money.
“And seeing them now as teenagers who are going across the country racing in marathon boats, it’s absolutely fantastic.”
The club is inclusive of all ages and abilities from six to 81. There’s no judgement and everyone gets to learn at their own pace.
“My background is working with people with a learning disability and autism,” says Michelle.
“We had one young person and she was very, very nervous. And I used to do a debrief with her before she got out, you know, take a breath, are you sure about this?
“And now she comes in, I don’t have to do that and she’s straight out.”
That’s the power of learning new skills in nature.
This summer Tesco has teamed up with The Sun’s Activity for All campaign to offer grants to holiday and sports clubs providing children with healthy activities and food over the school holidays.
Michelle sees the benefits getting outside offers.
She got involved with the club following a free discovery fun day with her son in 2017.
“We went along and he had a go on the canoes and the kayaks – he loved it!
“He was 13 and struggling to find something, as he wasn’t really into football. They just made us feel so welcome. He still helps out now.”
As one of the 25 dedicated volunteers who help run the canoe club, rain or shine, 52 weeks a year, Michelle fundraises as much as she can.
There are no paid staff and every penny counts. So she was thrilled when the club won a Tesco Stronger Starts grant towards new lifejackets earlier this year, as they’re essential kit which all members must wear.
Since 2016, Tesco working in partnership with Groundwork have awarded over £100million to over 50,000 local projects through their grant programmes.
Last July Tesco launched its grant programme Stronger Starts, which commits £5million to schools and children’s groups to fund healthy food and activities every year.
Having applied and been shortlisted, the “vote” goes out to customers who are given blue tokens which they can drop into a box after a shop to register their support for one (or more) of three local clubs or organisations.
Tokens get counted up and three grants awarded of either £500, £1,000 or £1,500, according to the public response.
“I shop at Tesco and I saw the tokens when I’ve gone in, and thought, I’m going to give it a go. I was so excited when we got picked.
“Equipment like our buoyancy aids wear out and need replacing, plus when you’re dealing with all ages and every size and every shape, we need a variety. So it was fantastic to get £500 to buy new ones.”
She feels supported by the community and wants to pass that back: “We went into our Tesco and did a display of what we’ve spent the money on.
“People stopped and we handed out leaflets about the club. We’ve got some new members from that.”
Michelle is grateful to Tesco who have also supported the club with previous grants, including one after Covid for screens and a hand sanitiser station. Yet the biggest grant was £1,000 funding for a defibrillator back in 2021.
“Tesco have been fantastic to our club. The defibrillator was massive.
“We’re on a spot on the water and having one right next to you on the riverside is so important. It’s there, it’s in the boathouse, it’s amazing.”
Apply for a Tesco Activity for All grant to make this an unforgettable summer for children in your area.
In celebration of this great summer of sport – we’ve had the Euros and the Olympics are in full swing – there’s still just enough time to apply for a £1,000 Tesco Stronger Starts grant to help towards local sports and holiday clubs.
Tesco’s Activity for All campaign, in partnership with The Sun, is giving away 150 grants, totalling £150,000, to improve children’s access to equipment, resources and healthy food and snacks this summer. It comes after the success of our recent Footie for All fund.
For more information and to apply online go to tescostrongerstarts.org.uk/activityfund. But be quick: applications close on Monday, August 5, 2024.
Schools and groups can find more information and apply for a Stronger Starts grant at tescoplc.com/strongerstarts. Go into store and pick up a blue token to help children thrive in your area.
