A TRUST fund set up following a secondary school’s closure says it is bidding to help more island youngsters.

Furtherwick Park Legacy Fund, operating via Canvey Rotary Club, estimates it has given away about £50,000 to help youngsters on the island since Furtherwick Park School shut its doors for the last time in August 2011.

Money left over from previous fundraising events at the school, coupled with generous donations from former pupils and other islanders, has enabled it to continue offering support to causes relating to sport and education.

Among a lengthy list of those to benefit are Canvey Island and Concord Rangers youth football clubs, Canvey Swimming Club, the Girls’ Brigade, and Winter Gardens Youth Club.

Pole vault hopeful Shannon Connolly and shot put prospect Archie Leeming, both studying at Bath University, have also received bursaries to aid their development.

James Kellard, treasurer of the fund, says the trust will continue to support youngsters, but warned that ultimately the fund will dry up.

Mr Kellard, a former governor at the school, says the legacy fund is donating more to causes than it receives.

He said: “We are looking to hear from people who need some help, and then we will take it to committee and conduct a validation visit to see if all is as described. When the school closed a lot of the money accumulated would have gone back to the education authority and redistributed across the county. We just felt that it was better for the money to help as many youngsters as we can.

“We gave a £5,100 grant to Canvey Island Youth Football Club to help with their disabled football, as well adding security fencing for the playgroup near to Jones’ Corner.”

For more information, visit furtherwickparklegacy.co.uk