Dr Alan Billings visited the Brathay Trust in Sheffield on Thursday, 16 July 2015 to present them with a cheque for £13,084 awarded from his 2015/16 Community Grant Scheme.

Brathay Trust work to improve the life chances of children and young people by inspiring them to engage positively in their communities. The work they do benefits young people up to 25 years of age including the severely  disadvantaged, those at risk of exploitation or offending, care leavers, young offenders and those not in education, employment or training.

This work ranges from community-based youth work to the delivery of outdoor learning experiences at their Lake District base.  Brathay focus on the skills, attitudes and behaviours that young people need to develop and inspire them to make positive choices in their lives.

Dr Billings said: “Brathay work with young people and especially vulnerable young people in South Yorkshire. I hope this grant will allow them to continue supporting these young people as they grow, learn and achieve and help them through any barriers they face.

“I am especially interested in the work they do to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation, helping young people to recognise the signs of potential abuse and so reduce the chances of them being exploited.”

Christie Munley, Brathay Campaign Co-ordinator said: “There are significant numbers of children being groomed for sex in South Yorkshire.  This grant funding will allow us to work closely with young people at a much earlier stage, as we know which young people are most at risk.  Our project will target and work with individuals before they get to crisis point, reducing the number being exploited and minimising the harm done to those already involved in exploitation.

“I would like to thank Dr Billings for this funding and allowing us the opportunity to continue our work.”

For more information on the work Brathay Trust do visit http://www.brathay.org.uk/