Grant awarded

The grant for 2,000 has been received from the Big Lottery Fund as part of its Big Deal Small Grants Programme.

A group of 18 upper sixth students had discussed how to promote healthier lifestyles among students with the school’s health promotion co-ordinator, Gail McSherry.

“All of the ideas required funding,” said Gail, “so we decided to approach the Big Deal. This funding will allow the students to take forward three of their strategies.”

These strategies include a 10-week dance class, which is already running, teaching students how to do the salsa, cha cha and how to jive, with a self-defence course also planned in the future.

The third initiative is the introduction of a healthy lifestyle newsletter which will go out to all students as well as parents.

The programme allows those up to 25 years-old to apply for an award between 500 to 2,500 towards a project over which they have complete control.

“We’ve had a good response to the classes which we’re running straight after school,” said Gail. “When we discussed the barriers to a healthier lifestyle they were mainly cost and transport - both of which are addressed through the Big Deal funding of classes here at the school.”

The Big Deal Small Grants Programme was set up in 2006 and has received 1.5 million in funding from the Big Lottery Fund in that time. It allows those up to 25 years-old to apply for an award between 500 to 2,500 towards a project over which they have complete control.