THE FUTURE of a children’s activity group has been secured by a £27,000 windfall from Children In Need.

Funding over a three-year-period means that Summer Fun 4 All can continue to run affordable activities and events for every child in Darwen and Rural during school breaks.

The group started nine years ago in Earcroft Children’s Centre when mums from the area became dissatisfied at the provision of activities in the summer holidays for youngsters in the town.

Now Summer Fun 4 All puts on outings, sports activities and safety events throughout the year.

But, amid swingeing cuts, council grant streams had dried up.

Member Dilys Dyer said: “We’re over the moon at the grant, especially as this year the community and voluntary service has been really badly hit.

“We really did wonder where the funding was going to come from and what we would be able to do.”

Recent activities organsied by the committee include a bonfire safety event and a trip to Manchester Museum and Science and Industry.

Mrs Dyer added: “The activities we run give families breathing space and in many cases, with things like angling, they introduce children to things they can take on further.

“We ran a two day outing last year to Waddow Hall and for some of the children. It was the first time they had been out on a coach and had a picnic.

“For us, it’s very rewarding to see the enjoyment the children get.”

The next activity organsied by the group is the ‘Spring into Summer’ in Darwen Market Square from 10am to 2pm.

It will feature safety advice from the fire service, ambulance crews, lifeboat members, as well as face painting, a bucking broncho, and children’s activities.