We feature two more of the six charities nominated for Tesco cash boost.
A farm which gives inner city residents a taste of rural life and a charity gym that helps and rehabilitates those with disabilities and illness are both in the running for a huge cash prize from Tesco.
Stepney City Farm and Ability Bow are two of six projects to be nominated for three £1,000 cash grants after the Advertiser ran an appeal in partnership with the supermarket chain’s new Bow Gladstone store.
Each week, until voting closes on Sunday, October 18, we’re telling readers about the difference each of the organisations make to the community.
Stepney City Farm is a four acre working farm in Stepney Way, and community meeting place in the heart of East London. They give children and adults a chance to meet farm animals, learn how to grow food and try out arts and crafts.
They’re also the only City Farm in London to have its own dedicated rural arts centre, housing an on-site blacksmith, woodworker and potter offering free workshops for children and adults. The farm also host a weekly farmers market where locals benefit from seasonal farm-grown produce.
The money from Tesco’s Helping Hands competition would continue to help the farm stay open for free all year round and provide a protected space for animals, Ability Bow’s gym in St Stephen’s Road is open to all but they focus on supporting people with disabilities or long term health conditions who many not feel welcome in a gym or understand the benefits of doing exercise.
To break down these common barriers, they work with people in a very individual way doing one to one exercise sessions and setting personal, realistic and measurable goals. The gym also prides itself on offering a relaxed, safe and inclusive atmosphere where people who use the gym end up making friends.
The charity is always looking for new projects and are currently running a number of projects including exercise for those with heart conditions, visual impairments and diabetes. The money from Tesco’s Helping Hands competition will support with continuing and improving these projects
To vote for one of the shortlisted charities, visit the new Tesco store in Vernon Road, Bow, and fill in one of the forms that will be available by the customer service desk. Put a cross against only one of the six shortlisted causes that you believe most deserves support and then deposit your voting card in the ballot box provided.
The three charities that receive the most votes will win £1,000 in prize money while the runners up will each receive £200.
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