Helston Phoenix Project needs public support in Tesco Bags of Help scheme

In April this year the Helston Phoenix Project, based out of the town's fire station, won money through the Tesco Bags of Help scheme allowing them to provide activities after school and during the holidays more more than 20 young people.

They began with a visit to the watersports centre at Stithians Lake and followed this up with basic fire and rescue activities, Heartstart first aid training, dam and shelter building, and team games.

For many of the activities they have been supported by veterans from Active Plus, who have helped run the after-school events as well as field craft courses.

The project ended with four days of activities, the first two of which were based at Helston Station, where the youngsters revisited what they had already learnt and then held an open day for the community to see the work that has been taken place and say thank you to everyone who voted in the Tesco funding scheme.

On the third day they completed a field craft course with service veterans from Active Plus, learning about personal safety, orienteering, how to light a fire safely and cook hot dogs, and shelter building on land at Higher Nansloe Farm, thanks to the Benney family.

The final day saw 12 of the group learning surfing with Dan Joel Surf School.

A spokesperson for the project said: "All the activities are set up to build resilience and team working skills; communication is high on the list of skills. The outside agencies that provide our activities also back up our aims and objectives."

Now the Phoenix Project needs the support of the public to keep the project going, as it has once again been shortlisted for the Tesco Bags of Help scheme. Between September and October customers can vote for it in store, using plastic discs given after they pay.

It has also been granted funding from the Big Lottery, which will fund a year’s project for a new group of young people starting in October.