A CHARITY providing children and families with affordable activities has been saved from closure after new funding was secured.

As reported in the Lancashire Telegraph in February, Summer Fun 4 All, which puts on days out and activities for children living in Darwen and its rural surrounding areas, was in danger after three years of Children In Need funding came to an end.

It was a blow to the volunteer-run scheme that was set up 12 years ago and had blossomed.

Tracey Gilbertson, who has helped run the group for more than a decade, said: “We are very pleased to announce funding success and therefore the continuation of our summer programme and future activities going into 2015.

“With the current economic constraints, funding has been increasingly more difficult for charities and community groups like ours.

“But through the continued generosity of local community businesses and trusts along with donations from private individuals and sponsorship from the splendid jump by 17-year-old Greg Birchenough on our behalf in the Darwen Extreme Bungee event, we have successfully been able to fund this year’s summer programme and we give a great big Summer Fun thank you to them all.

“In addition to the generosity of the local community, we have also been successful in our bid to the Big Lottery which has enabled us to not only provide more in our summer programme but also for activities continuing into the autumn and spring holidays.

“Our volunteers are continuing their efforts in fundraising to ensure 2015 has another summer with fun for all in Darwen.”

The charity’s summer brochure has been published and details of future activities can be found on its website at www.summerfun4all.co.uk