Cooking on gas at Larne YMCA

The funding has been provided so that Larne YMCA can put on a specially tailored cookery programme for parents and children at the centre.

Research has shown that healthier children are happier children and as well as being educational for the youngsters, the programme also will help teach adults how to cook and prepare a range of nutritious foods.

East Antrim MLA Alastair Ross secured the funding for the centre after meeting with Phoenix Gas.

He said: “I was delighted to hear that the group are now receiving this help to put on what will be a very important learning programme. The fact it will benefit the children and their carers in both the short-term and the long-term is very welcome indeed”.

Laura Hunter, play co-ordinator at Larne YMCA, said: “We have made an arrangement for a professional cookery teacher to come into the centre over a period of six weeks and have also purchased a new and varied range of cookery equipment.

“Everybody involved is really looking forward to getting started and to learning some tips for a healthier lifestyle”.

Phoenix covers all administration costs with the charity so that every penny raised goes directly towards helping local disadvantaged children and to date the Energy for Children Charitable Trust has helped over 5,000 local young people.