The Aiming Higher charity in Blackpool has been thrilled to receive a small grant of £15,000 from the Freemasons’ Charity (the working name of the Masonic Charitable Foundation) supported by West Lancashire Freemasons.
Aiming Higher was established in 2011 to improve the lives of children with disabilities and special educational needs and their families, across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre, providing much-needed support when they need it most. Importantly, children do not need a formal diagnosis to access the charity’s services, meaning families are supported throughout what can often be a long and stressful journey.
The charity moved to its current premises on Church Street, Blackpool in 2013. The building offers a wide range of facilities, including a soft play area, an interactive ball pool and a sensory room, together with a suite of parent and counselling rooms and a full timetable of activities for pre-school children. The charity’s core funding comes from the National Lottery Community Fund and the Lewin Trust, which helps to fund a family support team as well as family trips, events and counselling services.
On a beautiful sunny, Monday lunchtime, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Michael Tax was joined by Blackpool Group Chairman Stephen Jelly and North Fylde Group Vice Chairman John Topping, in front of the Aiming Higher premises on Church Street, with Blackpool Tower forming a perfect and impressive backdrop.
Once inside, the visitors were welcomed by Aiming Higher Charity Manager Latoya Sykes, who gave them an insight into the workings of the organisation. Latoya talked them through the fact sheets in the charity’s publicity folder, which covers family events, counselling support and advice line details, along with some superb photographs of the A-Team, the charity’s youth group for young people aged 11 to 25 with autism, living across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.
Michael and Stephen then sat with groups of parents and their children to find out more about the facilities and the opportunities that the Masonic funding will bring to the charity. They were clearly impressed by Aiming Higher and by the responses of the happy, confident parents, whose warmth said everything about the difference the charity makes.
Meanwhile, John Topping spoke with the Stevens family about their involvement with the charity and he was fascinated to learn that Mr Stevens is a professional strongman who has won a number of world championships in various categories. Being able to train at home in Blackpool gives him the flexibility to provide daily support to his wife and children.
Reflecting on the visit, Michael Tax said: “It was a real privilege to spend time at Aiming Higher and to see for ourselves the remarkable work that Latoya and her team do for local families. What struck me most was the warmth and confidence of the parents and young people we met, that speaks volumes about this charity. Supporting organisations like Aiming Higher sit at the very heart of what Freemasonry stands for and I know this grant will be put to excellent use.”
Latoya Sykes added: “We are incredibly grateful to the Freemasons’ Charity and West Lancashire Freemasons for their generous support of Aiming Higher. This funding will help us to continue providing vital early intervention, inclusive activities and specialist support for disabled children, young people and their families across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. At a time when demand for our services continues to grow, unrestricted funding like this gives us the flexibility to respond where the need is greatest, ensuring more families can access the support, opportunities and sense of belonging they deserve. Partnerships like this make a genuine and lasting difference to the lives of local families.”
The visit was a wonderful reminder of the difference that Masonic giving makes in our local communities – and everyone at West Lancashire Freemasons wish Latoya and the whole Aiming Higher family every success as they continue their inspiring work. For more information on the work of the charity, visit their website aiminghighercharity.org.uk