Axed Hartlepool club is still helping town charities

Power station club hands cheque to Families First.

Members from the former Hartlepool Power Station Sports and Social Club have donated £1,000 to Hartlepool Families First.

A tough decision was made to close the club in September last year due to escalating maintenance costs and dwindling support.

The club, based within the grounds of the Hartlepool Power Station, was a wooden building and had occupied the site since it first opened in 1985.

When the club closed in September 2016, members decided to dispose of the assets and raised more than £5,000, which they are now sharing among good causes across the town.

Hartlepool Families First was delighted to be given a share during one of its weekly parent and toddler sessions.

Established in 1988, Hartlepool Families First, supports children and young people with special needs, along with their families.

It also operates other successful projects such as the HealthBus, Café One77 and the 3F’s Elderly Support Service.

Keith Kitching, treasurer of the former Power Station Sports and Social Club, said: “It was sad to see a once popular club close its doors last year and I would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the years.

“However, it’s great to see organisations, such as Hartlepool Families First, use the funds to support youngsters across the town.”

Bill Braithwaite, secretary of the former club, said: “There are lots of great causes in Hartlepool that we could have made a donation towards. Hartlepool Families First struck a particular cord though because of its wide reaching work, particularly supporting those with disabilities and additional needs.”

Paul Thompson, manager of the charity, said: “We are very grateful to the former club members and management committee for their donation.

“Their support will help to both strengthen and secure the work that we do to support some of Hartlepool’s most vulnerable children and young people.

“We could not operate our services without generous donations from amazing people like these.”

To find out more about Hartlepool Families First, visit www.hartlepoolfamiliesfirst.org.uk.