A Trowbridge charity is challenging local businesses to raise £100 to support its plans to create a space for young people to socialise and take part in activities.

Trowbridge Future is a charity that provides free, professionally-led evening youth sessions for children and young people in Trowbridge and the surrounding area.

It is challenging local businesses to raise £100 to support its ambition to create a dedicated youth space for young people in Trowbridge.

Demand for places has outgrown the charity’s current locations in Seymour and Studley Green, and activities are restricted by limited space, said the charity's chief executive officer Meg Aubrey.

She added: "We currently have about 75 youngsters attending across four youth clubs but we are looking for a space in the centre of Trowbridge where we can have more youngsters. We want to reach more people each week."

Deborah McLean, Youth Manager at Trowbridge Future, said: “Trowbridge doesn’t currently have a central dedicated youth space.

“We are fundraising to be able to expand our free services to support a greater number of young people and run a wider number of activities. Our goal is to help more young people to reach their full potential.”

Young people attending Trowbridge Future youth sessions value the chance to make friendships out of school, enjoy planned activities in a safe space and build positive relationships with professional youth workers.

The £100 Business Challenge invites local firms to have some fun raising money for the charity.

Businesses can fundraise in any way they choose and are entered into a friendly leaderboard against other local businesses to see who can raise the most money by the end of October.

Deborah added: "We’ve been thrilled by the response of local businesspeople who are already signed up to physical challenges, football matches, cake bakes and other ideas.

"We’re incredibly grateful for their enthusiasm and their commitment to providing safe and engaging youth spaces for our young people."

On Thursday, October 19, Tom Porter, from Thomas Porter Wealth Management, has pledged to cycle 100-kilometres on his home bike in aid of Trowbridge Future.

“I’m no cyclist so this feels like quite a big challenge for me,” he said. “Trowbridge Future provides amazing free youth sessions that are really enjoyed by young people but they’ve literally run out space.

“I’m doing my bit to help them create a bigger safe space for more young people in our town. I’m hoping to finish in under four hours and 30 minutes – any donations will be hugely helpful in keeping me going.”

Companies on board so far include Mark M Coombs & Associates (Coombs Shooting Simulator), Tesco, Alert Systems, Trowbridge & Westbury Ford,

Islington Motors, Ewe Move Estate Agents, Stone Developments, Thomas Porter Wealth Management and Katie Lifts Personal Trainer.

THG Labs, Sue Jefferies and Sash Windows & General Carpentry have made donations to support the challenge. 

Trowbridge Future enhances the lives of the communities of Trowbridge, by supporting the most vulnerable to enable the change they want to see in their lives.

The charity runs weekly youth activities, community fridges, kindness cafes and a range of activities for local people to enjoy.

To talk to the Trowbridge Future team about signing up to the challenge, or making a donation, email info@trowbridgefuture.org.uk or visit its Local Giving webpage at https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/t7z7CQnxxskmYLj2uxCv3c/

For more information visit www.trowbridgefuture.org.uk