A COMMUNITY-spirited football programme has secured a grant worth £30,000 to enhance the delivery of sport for children and young people with disabilities.

Colchester United’s Football In The Community (CUFITC) scheme has been given the BBC Children in Need grant to help fund its services.

The three-year funding will help with the delivery and development of football provisions to young people living with disabilities in north Essex.

The money will provide sporting opportunities for young people with a learning or physical disability, mental health and anxiety difficulties and those who may not typically engage in mainstream sport.

The cash pot of £30,000 over the next three years will support the launch of a wide range of activities aimed at improving physical and mental health, empowering the groups and their self-belief.

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“This grant award is a fantastic opportunity for CUFITC to continually improve sporting opportunities for youth in Colchester,” said community development officer, Niamh Gamble.

“BBC Children in Need’s values and aspirations are similar with our own in terms of reaching out to those in the greatest need and having a real impact.

“We have three years to grow and build to create a truly inclusive and sustainable sporting future everyone in Colchester.”

It follows the football club revealing its Football in the Community programme had been providing football sessions for refugees in Colchester last month.

The sessions were put on to provide an opportunity for refugees to integrate into the community and get relief from their worries through physical activity.

Delivered in conjunction with Refugee Action Colchester and Active Essex, the programme helped to improve mental health while providing a fun environment for participants to socialise.

Participant Emmanuel said it has helped him since arriving in the country.

He said: “It helps to spin out some stressful thoughts whilst being part of the community.”

Community development officer at Colchester United Henry Singleton said of the group: “The improvement in the group’s levels of confidence has been astounding, I’ve been so impressed with everyone’s attitude.”

BBC’s Children in Need also recently pledged £120,000 to Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse, in Colchester.