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On the ball kids from the Beech United club celebrate their £1,000 grant for new equipment

A FOOTBALL club for children with special needs has netted a £1,000 community grant.

Young players from Beech United Soccability are celebrating their recent win of an O2 It's Your Community award.

Children from the team, aged between 8 and 11, have different special needs and are unable to play in regular clubs, so John Smith, from Basildon, formed Beech Soccability which now attracts up to 30 children every Saturday morning.

John, a self confessed football fanatic, has been involved with children's football for more than 25 years.

Damon Bannon, branch manager of Southend's O2 store, joined John and the group of 30 youngsters for one of their regular training sessions.

The club has gone from strength to strength with up to 30 youngsters at training sessions every weekend at Barstable School in Timberlog Close, Basildon, John, of Little Chittock, said: "Playing football is something most kids take for granted, but for kids with aspergers, downs syndrome or autism it isn't always possible to be part of regular clubs.

"It's not just the kids who are benefiting from the club, for many of the parents it is the first time they can enjoy watching their children really getting involved rather than being left on the sidelines.

"Our Saturday sessions are full of happy people. I'm not sure who has the biggest smile the parents or the children."

As the club's popularity increases so does their need for equipment.

"We were thrilled to get the award," added John. "It will really make a massive difference to our club and in turn to the lives of these very special young people."

The cash will be used to buy footballs, bibs, cones and nets for the youngsters to use.

Each month up to 60 projects throughout the UK receive up to £1,000 from the awards.

1:05am Friday 9th May 2008

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