£10,000 donation aids rugby club's work for young people

Hundreds of schoolchildren are already benefiting from a community programme through rugby league club Keighley Cougars.

Club charity the Community Cougars Foundation uses sport to inspire, educate and motivate young people from across Keighley and Craven.

The foundation is now developing a new programme designed to help youngsters take the next step in their lives, and is seeking sponsorship.

The charity has been boosted by the delivery of a new minibus, which is vital in its work with 50 primary and eight secondary schools in the district.

The new minibus, which has been secured with the help of a 10,000 donation from Sovereign Health Care, means the foundation can continue its work in schools and the community.

Community Cougars Foundation manager Dean Muir said: "The majority of our work involves going out into the community and engaging with young people, so without a minibus we wouldn't be able to continue, and that would be a great shame for the children in Keighley and Craven."

The foundation's work includes a street programme which supports and provides positive role models to children from difficult backgrounds. It is also involved in rugby coaching and health and lifestyle learning in schools.

The head of marketing and business growth at Sovereign Health Care, Caroline Cundey, said: "The real beauty of the foundation's work is that it offers something to every child whether they are a rugby fan or not."