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Fire service kick start new community initiative

Posted by Editor on 11th June 2011 at 06:26 PM
Fire service kick start new community initiative
A NEW community initiative set up to promote community engagement and healthy living launched last week at a summer fete in Gorton will soon be seen across Greater Manchester.

‘Caged Soccer’ is Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s new addition in helping to engage with young people, in a bid to build better relationships between firefighters and young people through sporting activities.

The new mobile football pitch offers a new dimension to the extensive work already taking place across Greater Manchester, and will sit in the heart of the community at local fire service and community events, where young people live and interact.

On the day, hoards of young people joined in to practise their football skills and took full advantage of the Caged Soccer - amongst those were six-year-old Shane Bernard, nine-year-old Hayden Green and seven-year-old Ben Lewis.

Shane’s mum, Yvonne Bernard said: “I think its brilliant what the fire service are doing, making friends with the kids and helping to keep them out of mischief”.

Hayden’s dad, Andy Green added: “There’s nothing for the kids to do around the area and it’s great to see more around which helps to keep the kids off the streets, having a positive impact on helping to reduce anti-social behaviour”.

County Fire Officer and Chief Executive Steve McGuirk said: “Cage Soccer is a unique feature that will have a positive influence on young people through fun and sport. This in turn will hopefully improve better relations between firefighters and young people, helping to reduce deliberate fires, hoax calls and attacks on firefighters.”


Photo: A group of youngsters at the Gorton summer fete



Related Links

To find out when Caged Soccer will be in your area, as well as other great family fun events, please see the events section of the GMF website click here

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