‘So rewarding just to see their faces’: Caring Dewsbury community group treats people ‘from all walks of life’ to Blackpool trip
People “from all walks of life” in Dewsbury have enjoyed a sunny day trip to the seaside.
Organised by volunteers of Dewsbury Cares Community Group, and assisted by various sponsors and donations, a full coach-load was treated to a day in Blackpool on Saturday, July 18.
The voluntary organisation, which is based at Dewsbury Market, provides support for people in and around the town. And for some of those invited, the annual excursion proved to be their first-ever trip to any coastal resort.
The excited coach group, which had an age range of one to someone in their 70’s, played ‘the first to spot Blackpool Tower’ game before enjoying the traditional aspects of seaside fun.
Clare Costello, one of the volunteers at Dewsbury Cares Community Group, said: “Our yearly trip is for people from all walks of life who just want to get away for the day by the seaside.
“We know everybody who comes to us and we know their stories and know where they might be struggling. We talk to them and we get to know them, so we know why they would find it difficult to get to Blackpool on a day out.
“And some of those had never been before. One guy who has lived here for 30 years said he had never been to the seaside and he was amazed by it all.
“The weather was gorgeous sunshine all day and they had the full experience of going in the sea, going to the amusements and on the pier, having fish and chips and ice cream - all the stuff that you do when you go to Blackpool.”
Asked what it meant to be able to organise the trip, Clare said: “It was just brilliant. It is so rewarding just to see their faces.
“Their faces lit up with happiness and there were smiles all round.”
Dewsbury Cares Community Group is known for providing a free Christmas Day lunch every year, which serves between 200 and 250 people.
Thanking everyone for their support, Clare added: “There is a massive list of donors and people who have helped us. And we wouldn’t have been able to do it without the community’s support.
“And that just makes us feel overwhelmed, as it does at Christmas time with the free dinner event.
“It is just heartwarming to see how the community rallies together to enable this to happen.”