Youngsters from Stockton Borough are helping to fly the flag for community spirit ahead of the arrival of this week’s Stockton Cycling Festival.
4Children, working in partnership with the Council’s Funky Feet development programme, recently held an art workshop for children at the New Life Family Centre in Billingham.
Thanks to grant funding from Tees Valley Community Foundation and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, the children created colourful felt jerseys and flags to be used to cheer on the competitors during this week’s national championships.
Various groups and communities have recently benefited from grant funding for their projects which showcase their creative talents, visually decorate the race route and promote physical activity via cycling.
Councillor Norma Wilburn, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Leisure and Culture, said: “It is wonderful to see that everyone is getting fully behind and involved with all things cycling this summer in Stockton.
“I’ve no doubt that hosting the elite cycling championships here will leave a legacy in Stockton and that is evident with the lovely artwork produced by the young children here.
“They’ll have such an exciting time when they come down to Stockton Town Centre to watch the cyclists in action and I’m sure they will very much enjoy the family fun day taking place alongside the event on Sunday (26 June).”
Hugh McGouran, Chief Executive of the Tees Valley Community Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to see the grant funding reaching all kinds of groups and it is great to see children of such a young age getting involved and getting something out of the project.
“It’ll certainly be a sight to see some of the artwork created among the crowds at the Stockton Cycling Festival and it’ll be a great advert for the community spirit we have here in the Borough.”
4Children is a national charity with a base at the New Life Family Centre which seeks to provide health advice, parenting support along with play sessions and childcare.
Funky Feet is a unique session for preschool children which offers them the opportunity to sample a mix of games and dancing to support their cognitive, physical and overall development and wellbeing.
For more information on the Stockton Cycling Festival, visit www.stockton.gov.uk/scf
There are road closures and restrictions related to this event. For full details, visit www.stockton.gov.uk/cyclingclosures