A group of volunteers from South Yorkshire have raised over £1,400 to help transform an educational facility which supports children with additional learning difficulties.
Sheffield’s Team 10 of the Prince’s Trust Programme, featuring members of South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, have engaged in various fundraising activities in the last couple of weeks to raise money to support P.A.S.T. Ways.
P.A.S.T. Ways are a non-profit charity based in Ecclesfield who support children aged 10-16 with learning difficulties associated with issues such as anxiety, autism and ADHD.
James Wilson, a Fire Support Volunteer for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said the primary goal of the community project was to make the children at P.A.S.T. Ways feel valued and appreciated.
He said: “These children might have different learning difficulties or disabilities and feel like they’re not having much done for them or not a lot of people care.
“The aim of this project was to give them a safe space, to show that we do care and to provide that environment where they can look forward to learning and have fun.”
Volunteer James Wilson, 22, said his main goal is to become a firefighter or fire support officer in the future. (Image Credit: @jameswilsonsyfr)
In the past two weeks, the group of volunteers have raised funds online and in-person by engaging in a sponsored hose run on Fargate, Sheffield City Centre as well as a ‘row to France’.
The money raised has been put to good use, with the volunteers themselves helping to transform the outdoor area at the P.A.S.TWays Centre and upgrade the children’s comfort room which they use to wind down and relax.
Mr Wilson said the active community project was a “breath of fresh air” for the group of volunteers after two years of coronavirus restrictions.
“This campaign has given us an opportunity to bring people together, work as a big team and get this job done,” Mr Wilson added.
The volunteers have helped install a number of changes at the P.A.S.T. Ways Centre in Ecclesfield, including improvements to the outdoor area and comfort room (Image Credits: @jameswilsonsyfr).
If you would like to learn more about P.A.S.T. Ways and the services they provide, visit their website at https://www.pastways.org/.
