Free summer events a big hit with youngsters

Sketty Lunch Club youngsters enjoyed a free trip to the funfair at the seafront Recreation Ground on top of other summer-time visits to the LC, Crazy Climb and with boat trips and rides on the famous Swansea Bay Rider land train to come.

Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, joined the children for their visit to the funfair, saying community events organised by the club and others like it were enabling children to have a brilliant summer in the city.

The Sketty Lunch Club initiative is one of many similar initiatives being staged by community groups all around the city and supported by the council's summer food fund, announced earlier this month to help feed children and young people at risk of going hungry during the six week break.

So far more than 30 organisations have secured a share of the funding, providing an estimated 55,000 meals in just a few weeks.

Cllr Stewart said: "The kind of events being organised by Sketty Lunch Club and supported by our fund are the kinds of thing that are making life easier for families facing a cost of living crisis this summer.

"Getting on for 1,100 lunchtime meals have been provided for children so far this summer by the Sketty Lunch Club, supporting around 60 children a day. It's making a real difference in young people's lives and I want to thank all those involved in making these events such special occasions."

Dr Mahaboob Basha, BEM, of Sketty Youth Club and Sketty Mosque and Community Centre, which is behind the summer lunch club, said: "The summer club has been incredibly popular with more than 50 children a day getting a hot lunch and enjoying time out with their friends.

"The sessions are being made possible by our volunteers and through funding from the council, the Unite Union and the Swansea Service and Energy Children Activity Fund.

"You can see from the smiles on their faces just how much it means to the children involved and I'm very grateful to all those who are supporting this project."