A group for adults with learning disabilities has been thrown a lifeline thanks to a £5,000 donation from JCB. The Uttoxeter Gateway Club relies on grants and funding to host weekly club-based activities to improve members’ social skills and help them build relationships. The JCB donation represents half of the group’s annual running costs and has already paid for a trip to Blackpool, a meal and a disco.
Leader Pauline Wilson said: “The club is extremely important to our members and many of them would not have a social life if they couldn’t come to us. It is becoming increasingly harder to get funding and, without it, we would not be able to afford our activities and outings.
“The donation will go a long way towards making sure we can continue for another year and we are very grateful to JCB for their support.”
The club, which is in its 25th year, has 30 members who meet each Tuesday at the Guildhall in Uttoxeter. Trustees are also planning to spend some of the money on a website, games, CDs and newsletter to promote their work.