BLGC Beacon Summer 24

Dear Patrons & Supporters,

I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you all for your ongoing support for and contributions to BLGC.? In this edition of our newsletter you’ll get a flavour of just how much difference your support makes to children and young people in Bolton on a daily basis.? The last few months have continued to be a challenge for our children, young people and their families and the current spate of protests we’ve seen across the country have only added to the pressures and anxiety that they face.? Together with your support we can continue to provide services that will help Bolton’s next generation to growth and thrive despite these challenges.? Please continue to support us so that we can support them.? I look forward to seeing you at our Showcase event in September where you will have the opportunity to see firsthand the difference you have helped to make.?

Very Best Regards

Emma

You're Invited!

We are thrilled to invite you to our 2024 Patrons and Supporters Showcase Evening as we celebrate BLGC 135th Birthday!Date:?18th SeptemberTime:?From 5.30pmVenue:?Infinity Spa RoadIn 2023, we hosted our best Patrons & Supporters evening to date, and this year promises to build on that success. Join us for a night of surprises, inspiration, and excitement featuring fantastic performances from our members!Our theme this year is Community -we? will also be sharing our ambitious plans for the coming year, detailing the positive changes we aim to achieve together with your continued support.We hope you will be able to join Emma, our CEO, and the entire BLGC team for this special evening. We look forward to celebrating our milestone birthday with you!

Sporting Success!

Golf Day and Football Tournament Success!?Thank you to everyone that supported our Sporting events to raise vital much needed funds for children and young people!In June we took to the Green!?A special thank you to Big Sam for making the annual golf classic so memorable and bringing the sunshine and laughter with him! Thank you to Headline Sponsor Irish Freight Solution , Cramant Homes for all their support and a round of applause to our? impressive winning golf team - Domis Construction!

July we welcomed the annual Football tournament!And a huge thank you to AO for sponsoring our infamous Football tournament. 20 teams took to the Hacken Lane Astroturf, all eager to compete for the coveted AO Trophy. The level of play was particularly high this year, with A E Yates Ltd. and Domis Construction making it to the highly anticipated final. In a nail-biting match, the teams battled to a 0-0 draw, setting the stage for a dramatic penalty shootout. In true Euro-style fashion, A E Yates Ltd. kept their cool under pressure, securing the victory and taking home the Cup.? We can’t wait to see you all again?next year!

Cindy Ngamba: From BLGC to Paris!

If you've been watching the Olympics, you may have seen former BLGC Member Cindy Ngamba fighting for the Refugee Team! Originally from Cameroon, Cindy moved to the UK at the age of 11 and found her true passion for boxing while playing football at BLGC.?Cindy shared, "When I was playing football at BLGC, I noticed the boxers looked so fit and were having a great time, and I thought, 'I want to try that,' so I did. I became the only female boxer at the club. I worked hard, and with the help of my coaches, I lost 20 kilos in weight and had my first fight, which I won. It all started from there."Cindy found a second family with the GB Boxing Team and went on to become a three-time English national champion. She made history as the first-ever refugee boxer to qualify for the Olympic Games, heading to Paris 2024.At BLGC, our thriving boxing program continues to inspire and develop young talent. Our Boxing and Gym Instructor, Moh, has been putting our young people through their paces, from warm-ups and pad work to fitness sessions and combination training. Moh and his team are passionate about building on the rich boxing heritage of BLGC with fighters like Cindy and Amir Khan, and to inspire the next generation of champions

BLGC Basketball Shoots with the Stars!

We were beyond proud of our BLGC Basketball team members who recently attended the International Basketball Development camp led by the legendary Joe Arlauckas at The University of Bolton. Their hard work and dedication culminated in a remarkable performance at the Ball Out 3x3 event, where they made it to the Quarter Finals in their first-ever prestigious competition!Coach Tasos, who heads up the BLGC Sports offer said "These young athletes have shown immense growth in their skills, confidence, and sportsmanship. Their journey from the camp to the tournament highlights the positive impact of such opportunities on their development. Here's to their incredible effort and the bright future ahead!?

Introducing BLGC's Gifts In Wills Offer

For over 130 years, BLGC has been dedicated to helping local children and young people live better, healthier, and happier lives. A gift in your Will to BLGC is an incredible way to invest in the citizens of tomorrow and leave a lasting legacy for the community. It currently costs us over ￡2.5 million every year to keep our doors open, so any gift you give, no matter the size, will make a big difference to the young people we help by remembering BLGC in your Will, you’ll ensure that we can continue to be here for every young person for as long as we’re needed. To find out how BLGC can support you in leaving a gift in your Will, download our free information pack today. It’s quick, easy, completely free, and there’s no commitment involved.If you would like to speak to someone about your gift, please email [email protected]?or call us on 01204 540100. We will be more than happy to help.

The Power of Youth:Inside BLGC’s Pots of Gold Panel

At BLGC, empowering young people is at the heart of what we do. By enabling a young persons voice to be heard and be integral part regarding decisions that impact their peers. Our Pots of Gold panel, comprising five members aged 13-16 from diverse backgrounds within BLGC, embodies this philosophy. With representatives from our Young Leaders and all areas of our Youth offer the panel ensures inclusive and equitable decisions on funding applications.During the reporting period (April 2023 to April 2024), the panel reviewed 39 applications addressing diverse needs, including 16 for hobbies and 17 for stress management. The total value pledged amounted to ￡2,405, with individual awards ranging from ￡25 to ￡100.Each application represents a young person’s hope. From hobbies that nurture creativity to stress management tools, the panel’s decisions significantly enhance the lives of BLGC members. This initiative not only addresses immediate needs but also cultivates leadership, responsibility, and community among our youth.Huge thanks to the Provincial Walsh Trust, all the young people involved and out team for all their hard work.

Gardisa's Story

Coming to BLGC made me more confident - Gardisa is a relatively new member of BLGC, having moved to the UK from Ethiopia 4 years ago. He only joined the BLGC basketball programme about a year ago and lacked experience, skills, confidence, and concentration. However, his love for the game and his desire to get better every day has been outstanding and has resulted in him being one of the most improved members of the group. He has attended all the sessions and taken part in the outings and other team activities.His commitment to the sessions has helped him to build resilience and confidence. G.W.explained that “last year I was bad, and I couldn't beat anyone and the young people laughed at me...now I play with them and I Winand it feels so good". Another area of improvement is G.W.’s ability to take in information and put it into practice. He is more focused and does not hesitate to ask questions about how he can improve his skills and learn new things.?He is always looking for new challenges and is not afraid to step out of his comfort zone, setting an excellent example for the rest of the team. Notably, he has completed a course, earning qualifications as a boxing activator?a testament to his expand skill set and newfound self-confidence. Beyond sports, his academic performance has flourished, and his social skills have blossomed, highlighting the holistic impact of his journey. Gadisa’s story is a powerful testament to the transformative influence of sports on personal development

Watch the video

We are excited to announce our next Women In Business networking afternoon, scheduled for Thursday 14th November. Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details and the booking link, which will be shared in the coming weeks.