Support for Seashell Trust fit for new gym equipment

Seashell Trust is splashing out on new gym equipment after Stockport based accountancy firm HURST donated more than £9,000.

Seashell Trust in Cheadle Hulme was chosen as HURST’s charity of the year for 2016.

Staff at the firm raised a total of £9,236.56 from a variety of activities, including a football tournament, office tuck shop and quiz night.

A 13-strong HURST team also completed the Three Peaks Challenge, which involved scaling the highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales in under 24 hours.

Seashell Trust provides education, sport and leisure activities and residential care for children and young people aged 2-23 who have profound physical and learning disabilities, deafness, blindness and autism.

Heather Potter, the charity’s health and fitness development officer, said the money from HURST would make a huge difference to the lives of youngsters at Seashell Trust.

Heather said: “We will be buying specialist equipment for our fitness suite to help wheelchair users build their upper body strength.

“The new equipment will include a chest press and a Lat Pulldown machine, and they will make a real difference. We are extremely grateful to HURST for making this possible.”

HURST marketing executive Lucy McCormick said: “Raising money for the Seashell Trust has been truly rewarding.

“Knowing that the funds will be used on a day-to-day basis in the gym made all the hard work really worthwhile.

“The gym plays a key role in the work they do with their students and it’s great to know that we’ve helped develop this fantastic facility.”

HURST has chosen Mustard Tree, which supports homeless and other marginalised people across Greater Manchester, as its charity of the year for 2017.

Mustard Tree provides food, furniture, clothing and training to boost people’s life skills. Founded in 1994, the charity has its headquarters on Oldham Road in Ancoats, Manchester, and sites in Eccles and Little Hulton, Salford.

It was also HURST’s charity of the year in 2014.

Events planned this year include a 400km cycle ride from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Lille in France – and back again.

Pictured: From left to right, Heather Potter of Seashell Trust, Lauren Roberts, Chris Kinsey and Ryan Niblock, all of HURST. Lucy McCormick of HURST is seated.