The Superstars playgroup in Fordingbridge is the happy recipient of £4,500 thanks to donations to the Local Community Fund scheme from customers of the Fordingbridge branch of Co-op. Revd Kate Wilson of Avon Valley Churches and its associated charity, Avon Valley Community Matters, collected the giant cheque at the recent celebration event held at the Fordingbridge Store.
She said: “I am so pleased to collect these generous funds on behalf of Superstars. Thank you so much to all those who donated and to the Co-op team for supporting our charity. The funds will be put to very good use providing support and sensory toys for children with special needs to use at our weekly sessions.”

The campaign was set up to help promote inclusion by integrating pre-school aged children with special educational needs or disabilities, with those who are able bodied, by providing access to developmentally-appropriate activities. The funds will support Avon Valley Community Matters’ weekly sensory-based playgroups for 0-5-year-olds and their siblings and carers in the Fordingbridge area; Little Acorns is at 9.30am on Thursdays in Hale Village Hall and Superstars is at 9.30am on Fridays at St Mary’s Hall in Fordingbridge. Each week there are seasonal crafts, sensory activities and toys, as well as storytime, songs and snacks.
Avon Valley Community Matters (AVCM) was set up with the vision of strengthening the community by empowering local people of all ages to flourish in their emotional, physical, spiritual and social wellbeing. As well as the two playgroups, the charity runs a monthly Friendship Group, for the lonely and bereaved, on the first Tuesday of every month at the Ship Inn in Fordingbridge.

Avon Valley Community Matters’ Friendship Group has been chosen as a sponsored charity next year too! To make a donation please sign up to the donation scheme at  coop.co.uk/communities and select cause 68718 when using your clubcard. The direct link to our cause is: membership.coop.co.uk/causes/68718.

To date the charity have also organised activity bags for children during lockdown, cupcakes and hot-cross buns for young people and the elderly on Valentine’s Day and at Easter, a Den Building Day, hot meals and activities at Messy Church, with much more planned, including a Miscarriage Support Group.
To join one of our groups, become a volunteer or fundraiser, or to find more information about Avon Valley Community Matters, please visit avonvalleychurches.org.uk/avcmatters.