A Wellington charity has received a £200,000 cash boost to encourage school children across Shropshire to help fight global poverty.
Bridges, on Mansell Road, will receive the money from the Department for International Development over the next three years for a project to help raise awareness of poverty and inequality in the world.
The cash will also fund a full time Community Cohesion Officer to help carry out the project in primary and secondary schools.
Sylvia Ruxton, acting co-ordinator of Bridges, said: “We are excited about receiving the money. When we heard we were over the moon.
“Bridges wants this project to make a real difference, not just to those who take part, but to the wider community as more and more ‘ordinary’ people take action for positive change.”
The project is called Development Goals Countdown.
Gary Davies, Wellington town councillor, said he has worked with Bridges and Harvest Help in the past.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted that Bridges has this grant.
“ It was a big thrill when at the literary festival last year George Alagiah requested that Bridges and Harvest Help come to the event to meet him.
“I am sure he would be delighted that such an organisation can now go into schools and support the wonderful work Bridges does.”
Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, said: “I’d like to congratulate Bridges on its development grant award. This project offers an innovative way of spreading awareness among Shropshire school children of the challenge of global poverty and how we fight it, and I look forward to hearing the results of their good work.”
Bridges work with education organisations and community groups who have an interest in global issues.
For more information visit the website at www.shropshirebridges.org.uk