Wallasey teen’s charity celebrates achieving official status

Jan 18 2012 by Helen Hunt, Birkenhead News

A CHARITY launched in memory of a Wirral teenager who was killed in a car crash is celebrating achieving official status.

Charlotte’s Brightside CLC, which was launched last year in memory of Wallasey teenager Charlotte Churchill, has been approved to become a registered charity, according to the 19-year-old’s mum Angie.

Charlotte was training to be a nursery nurse when she was killed while travelling in a car with a friend and her boyfriend in April last year.

The charity, which has changed its name from the Brightside Trust, broke the £13,000 fundraising mark at the end of 2011.

Mrs Churchill said the charity has gone from strength to strength and they are now looking for new premises in the area.

Trustees are now in the process of searching for a building in Wallasey and Liscard to use as a community centre for young people, which will be Charlotte’s legacy.

Mrs Churchill said: “We have had an amazing few months since the charity was launched last year and everything is moving forward quickly and with real purpose.

“We were delighted to have everything approved and are just waiting for confirmation of our official charity status.

“We are now in a position to look for premises to base Charlotte’s Brightside, so if there is anyone out there who can help with ideas, suggestions or support to find a venue it would be very much appreciated.”

Mrs Churchill said their aim is to secure a venue and open it by April, which would be the first anniversary of Charlotte’s death.

The charity has a number of fundraising initiatives in the next few months, including a sportsman’s dinner and a CD release by local band White Heat, with all proceeds going to Charlotte’s Brightside. The tracks can be downloaded from iTunes.

The sportsman’s dinner will be at the Leasowe Castle Hotel on March 23 and with former Tranmere Rovers goalkeeper Eric Nixon as guest speaker. Tickets are £30.

Call Mrs Churchill on 0781 800 5010 or email angie.churchill@yahoo.co.uk for more.