KIDS club manager Karen Brough is celebrating this week after scooping a £10,000 boost for an Alsager out of school group.

Karen is the manager of The Den, an out of school club for four to 14-year-olds based at the Radway Green Venture Park.

The club is looking to take on an extra playworker after winning £10,000 from leading insurance, pensions and saving company Pearl.

The firm's support for The Den is part of its £2 million investment in a nationwide initiative to provide 1,400 children with a safe place to go out of school hours.

"Pearl's support will make a real difference to us," said Karen.

"The club is a vital part of the community, and this additional funding means that we can offer more support to families in the area."

The Den is part of the Kids Club Network, which offers children a safe place to play outside school hours, at times that enable parents to work or study.

The funding from Pearl will pay for an additional playworker over the next three years.

"We estimate at least 350,000 children between the ages of five and 12 go home each day to an empty house," said network director Anne Longfield.

"Pearl's support for The Den is just what we need to help more kids relax, enjoy themselves and be with friends."

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