A YOUTH charity has received a funding boost from Weymouth Rotary Club.

STEPS Club for Young People recently had its funding cut, along with other youth clubs across Dorset, when the county council needed to make savings from its budget.

A charity was formed to continue running the centre, and Weymouth Rotary Club handed over a cheque for £1,500 to help support its work.

The Rotary Club of Weymouth has had a long association with the STEPS and, for many years, has sponsored a young person from the youth club to attend the prestigious Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA).

STEPS Club for Young People in Chickerell Road has just been given a major boost. The youth centre, which has recently been saved from closure by STEPS the Charity, has been presented with a cheque for £1,500 by Weymouth Rotary Club.

Youth worker Tom Lane said the support marks a ‘new and special association’ between the new clubs.

Members of the Rotary Club attended STEPS and were given a tour of the facilities and an insight into the valuable work delivered at the club. 

President of the Rotary Club Brian Thornley and RYLA Liaison Officer Norman Brown then presented the cheque to the members.

Mr Thornley said: “It was with great concern that The Rotary Club learnt that funding from Dorset County Council has been removed and this exceptional local Club is threatened with closure. We are well aware of the difference that STEPS makes to the lives of young people and were pleased to hear from youth worker Tom Lane and the club members that they were not prepared to see their club close without a fight. In support of this 'back to the wall' spirit, we are delighted to make this presentation and hope it will be the start of a fighting fund that will see STEPS thrive and continue to give opportunities and support to local youngsters.”

Mr Lane added: “We are extremely grateful to The Rotary Club of Weymouth for their generous support. The charity has now taken over the running of the club but we have a mammoth fundraising task ahead to meet the building costs and, hopefully, to employ some qualified youth work staff. The club has been helping generations of young people for 53 years and we are very determined to continue making a difference to the lives of young people and to our community.”