IMWS hosted a meeting for local head teachers to become more familiar with a newly formed charity offering grants of up to £500 to local children. ‘Let June Make A Difference’ was launched in August to help impoverished children take part in events or activities that they would otherwise be unable to afford. The charity has been set up by a local family and aims to help 7 to 17 year-olds from north Kirklees.
The event held at the Al-Hikmah Centre in Batley attracted head teachers or school representatives from local schools. A power point presentation by Graham Dewhirst explained how his wife June had a tough childhood and how she was bullied and abused by her stepfather.
Her troubled childhood made June determined to help disadvantaged children and she touched the lives of children as far as Ecuador as well as countless children locally.
The Family have now taken that passion and drive and launched ‘Let June Make A Difference’ with a half a million pounds in the pot and a want to give £25,000 to children every year.
Graham said, “We are a new charity in North Kirklees and it is important, therefore, for us to meet with many of the professionals in our local area working with children who might benefit from our involvement.
“We were delighted to participate in the meeting at IMWS and we are very grateful to them for making the arrangements. We look forward to making a difference to the lives of many children.”
Comments from attendees were very positive thanking the charity for the help they offer and schools identifying some of the individual problems their pupils from a disadvantage background face.
Maria Muhammed from Westborough High School said it was a “Fantastic charity and a great opportunity for north Kirklees.”
Commenting on the event Shakera Mirza from Madni Muslim Girls School said it was, “An informative presentation, fantastic opportunity for children from deprived families to gain access to funding to fund educational opportunities which they may not otherwise be able to access.”
Fiona Williams from Heckmondwike Primary school said, “As usual a lovely setting, well looked after and a very exciting opportunity to help some of the children I work with.”
The event was a partnership between IMWS and Let June Make A Difference to make inroads into identifying how the charity can help children in schools in Batley and Dewsbury.
Vice Chair of IMWS, Saied Laher, said “It’s great to see a trust like this that is helping local children coming from disadvantaged backgrounds and making a real difference to their lives.
“There are a lot of children in north Kirklees whose parents struggle to fund even school trips, as we heard from one school today. Let June Make a Difference really can make a difference to a child’s life and we will do what we can to help them achieve that locally.”
A similar event for local madressa head teachers is also being planned for the new year.
If you would likt to know more about Let June Make A Difference visit their website at: http://www.letjunemakeadifference.org
