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On 7th
August the UK's most successful female 70's tribute duo the Abba
Girls, and Bexley Borough's top Indian restaurant helped to raise
much-needed funds for Bexley Moorings Project, a
registered charity based at 20 Crook Log, Bexleyheath, Kent, which
is celebrating its 25th Anniversary of supporting Bexley's young
people this year.
The charity's
Cabaret Dinner was hosted by Dilwar Ali, owner of Spice Master
Restaurant, Nuxley Road, Belvedere, at which Guests of Honour the
Mayor and Mayoress of Bexley Councillor Brian Beckwith and Councillor
Aileen Beckwith, Distinguished Guest Mr John Austin MP for Erith and
Thamesmead, and Bexley Moorings Project Trustee Mr Terry Clarke,
along with charity supporters and restaurant customers enjoyed fine
cuisine from the Indian sub-continent and top entertainment from the
Abba Girls.
During the
show, two young peer mentors from the charity, Natasha Gibbs 14 and
Elaina Borg 16, sold tickets and at the show interval, a raffle and
auction were held. The Mayor, Mayoress and MP took an active part,
calling out 15 prizes including an autographed Alan Shearer photo,
signed Schumacher and Coulthard racing car prints, a bottle of House
of Commons whisky, as well as whisky from the Mayor, a juicer worth
£70 and a bottle of champagne. Funds raised from the raffle,
auction and a proportion of dinner takings, amounted to £867,
with which the charity's Manager, Mrs Anne Bennett, announced her
satisfaction. She said it was the first Cabaret Dinner they had tried
as a fund-raising measure, and would definitely consider this type of
event again.
Bexley
Moorings Project was established in 1981, and prior to becoming an
MP, John Austin was actively involved in the early years of the
charity's work. Part-funded by Bexley Council, the Project provides
effective support within Bexley Borough to vulnerable young people
aged 8-17 whose problems can include material or emotional
deprivation, physical, emotional or sexual abuse, social isolation,
bullying, dysfunctional families, or caring for parents or siblings
who have disabilities or life illness. Using volunteer befrienders, a
peer mentor scheme and a weekly club, plus short holiday breaks and
residential trips with an educational content, Bexley Moorings
Project helps young people to develop self-esteem and confidence in a
supportive and non-competitive environment.
With the help
of Social Services and education professionals, the charity's aim is
to help these disadvantaged or difficult-to-engage young people to
integrate fully into the community. To date Bexley Moorings Project
has received over 1500 referrals and at any one time has
approximately 120 young people on the project and 68 volunteers
working in various capacities. In the last two years the
establishment of a peer mentor scheme has given opportunities for
some of the young people on the project to develop leadership skills
in a supported environment, resulting in some interested in
volunteering and re-investing in their community.
Within the
past year the Project has achieved the Investors in People's Standard
for its work with staff and volunteers. All applicants are vigorously
vetted with a total of five checks, including the Criminal Record
Bureau, and must successfully complete an induction course.
Bexley
Moorings Project Co-ordinator is a member of the Children's Trust and
the Health Partnership Board; the Project works closely with Social
Services on behalf of young people on the Child Protection Register,
and promotes a multi-agency approach to service provision. The
charity also works within its own child protection procedures derived
from local and pan-London policies.
Bexley
Moorings Project is the only voluntary sector organisation in the
Borough offering specific support to young disadvantaged people, and
one of only a few befriending schemes in Britain.
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