Donation Saves Disabled Children’s Charity’s Macclesfield Drama Club from Closure

Friends for Leisure, a Cheshire East charity supporting disabled children and young people, has received a £10,000 donation from The Pastest Charitable Trust to secure the future of its Macclesfield Drama Club.

The group was facing closure due to a lack of funding. However, after an appeal for support from Friends for Leisure, The Pastest Charitable Trust has stepped in with an extremely generous donation to ensure the groups future for at least another 12-months.

Amanda Hunt, General Manager at Friends for Leisure, said:

“The response we’ve had to the news about the potential drama club closure has been fantastic. We’re extremely grateful to everyone at The Pastest Charitable Trust for this unbelievable gesture and I can’t tell you the difference it will make to so many young people’s lives”

The charity, which supports young people with disabilities aged between 5-21, aims to reduce isolation and loneliness, which can often accompany having a disability, so activities like its Macclesfield drama group are crucial to offering disabled children and young people the opportunity to have everyday friendships. 

Hugh Campbell, Pastest Charitable Trust Trustee, said:

“My daughter, Isla, has been a volunteer at Friends for Leisure for some time and has been heavily involved with the Macclesfield drama group for several years. When I saw how passionate she was about the sessions continuing, I knew we had to help. Seeing first-hand the difference Friends for Leisure’s work has on children’s lives is incredible, so to play a part in securing the future of the group means the world to us and Isla.”  

Amanda continued: 

“The Macclesfield group has been running for over 20 years, and it would have been incredibly sad to have shut its doors. Thanks to this donation we’re able to plan for the future and the kids can continue building on the friendships they’ve already made while attending the drama sessions.”  

2025 marked Friends for Leisure’s 30^th anniversary and in recognition of the milestone has launched its ‘30 for 30’ campaign. The charity is appealing to 30 local businesses to each donate £1,000 with the goal of raising £30,000 in extra funding to support the wide range of activities it provides disable children and young people across Cheshire East.  

If you’re organisation is interested in supporting Friends for Leisure’s fundraising efforts, please get in touch on 01260 275 333 or email: 

info@friendsforleisure.org.uk  

About Friends for Leisure:

Friends for Leisure is a Cheshire East charity which supports disabled children and young people aged between 5-21. The charity aims to reduce isolation and loneliness, which can often accompany having a disability, as well as improve children’s confidence, self-esteem and overall wellbeing. Operating across Macclesfield, Congleton, Crewe, Knutsford, Sandbach and Disley with head offices in Congleton.  

Friends for Leisure believes everyone needs a friend. The charity is passionate about offering disabled children and young people the opportunity to have everyday friendships and take part in leisure activities, such as drama and sports sessions as well as regular youth groups and ten pin bowling. 

Pictured - Amanda Hunt, General Manager at Friends for Leisure.