THE Oasis Centre for Young People in Ellesmere Port has been awarded a £3,000 grant from the Cadent Foundation, after being voted for by Cadent customers across the region.

Through its ‘Connecting Colleagues, Customers and Communities’ initiative, Cadent employees in Cheshire were asked to trial a new approach to the way in which local grants are allocated – by nominating local charities which were then shortlisted and put forward to a public vote.

More than 1,000 customers took part in the voting process, with the Oasis Centre for Young People being awarded the top grant of £3,000.

Halton Haven Hospice in Runcorn and the Steve Prescott Foundation in Warrington were voted runners-up and will each receive grants of £1,000.

The Oasis Centre for Young People aims to help and educate young people through leisure time activities, enabling them to develop their physical, mental and social skills.

Organiser Ruth Spicer said: “Oasis Junior Youth Club was started approximately 16 years ago as there was no other facility for 8-12 year olds in the area and the Oasis Centre offered the ideal location and building for this purpose. Over the years the Oasis has managed to obtain funding from various sources to keep this much needed club going.

“In February 2020 the Junior Youth Club had to close due to the coronavirus crisis and, like many other youth groups, has had quite a devastating effect on the young people of Ellesmere Port, with not having anywhere to go.

"We are extremely grateful for the funding from the Cadent Foundation at this time, as it will enable us to relaunch our Junior Youth Club as soon as we are able to open again in the not too distant future.”

The charity was nominated for the scheme by Cadent engineer, Barry Statham.

He said: “I was a member of the centre myself when I was younger, so I know what a great place it is and how much they do to support young people in the area. The building is quite old and some of the facilities are in desperate need of repair so when I heard about the Cadent Foundation’s community grant scheme, I thought this was a perfect opportunity to do something to help and to thank them for all of their hard work and dedication.”

Halton Haven Hospice in Runcorn provides skilled nursing and palliative care for people whose illness is treatable but cannot be cured.

Set within a peaceful and relaxed setting, it aims to achieve the best quality of life for patients and their families.

Ann Hedley, head of fundraising, said: “We’re so grateful to have received this funding. It’s been a very difficult year for everyone, and this will help us to continue providing the very best of person-centred care for those on their final journey. On their behalf I’d like to thank everyone who voted for us.”

The Steve Prescott Foundation in Warrington has been established to provide funds for both The Christie Hospital in Manchester – one of the world’s leading cancer hospitals - and the Rugby League Benevolent Fund, which offers help to those who have been seriously injured playing one of the world’s toughest sports.

Martin Blondel, general manager, said: “The Steve Prescott Foundation (SPF) is extremely grateful for the £1,000 grant award from the Cadent Foundation.

"This is a real boost for the SPF to receive a grant during these difficult times. The Trustees are delighted to accept this grant and are humbled and proud to receive such a valued award, especially as we were nominated by employees. The donation will go towards our ongoing support for The Christie Charitable Fund and the Rugby Football League Benevolent Fund.”

Julia Dwyer, director of the Cadent Foundation, said: “Over the last 12 months, the need to come together and support each other has never been more important. We wanted to ensure Cadent customers and colleagues were given the chance to help care for their local community by nominating and voting for charities which were close to their hearts.

“The ‘Connecting Colleagues, Customers and Communities’ initiative has been a huge success with 14 charities shortlisted and more than 1,000 customers taking part in the voting process.

"The project has grown from strength to strength as a direct result of the ongoing focus, commitment and support from colleagues across the North West. It has allowed us to focus on where help is needed the most and offer grants to projects where we can make a real difference.”

The Cadent Foundation is funded by local gas network Cadent, and has been established to support projects large and small that help people living in vulnerable situations and disadvantaged communities; protect and preserve the natural environment or support in creating a sustainable energy future for all.

For more information on the Cadent Foundation, visit www.cadentfoundation.com