JLS Delight Young People at Hafad Open Day

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Private performance and presentation from top pop stars

Fulham pop star Oritse Williams delighted disabled youngsters when he returned local organisation Hafad, where he used to work  - and brought the rest of his group JLS with him.

The group were guests of honour at Hafad's annual summer open day at the Greswell Centre, presenting young people with certificates and treating them to a private performance.

Hafad - Hammersmith and Fulham Action on Disability - is an independent organisation aiming to promote equality for disabled people in the borough.

Oritse used to work with Hafad before achieving success on X Factor with bandmates Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes and Jonathan 'JB' Gill.

The lads sang their chart topping song Beat Again and presented more than 50 summer scheme members, aged 11-25, with certificates for taking part in activities over the past six weeks.

They also watched as the members, including Hafad's own band The First Chancers showed off their talents.

Hafad deputy director Richard Day says: "It was a wonderful day and the visit from JLS really made it special."

Hafadis also celebrating receiving £50,000 from NHS Hammersmith and Fulham to help fund its Agenda for Youth scheme, covering sport, arts, healthy-eating workshops and music sessions.

Richard added: "The money is helping to pay for things like our Monday afterschool sessions, Capoeira and dance classes, while some is going towards refurbishing our kitchen and teaching independent living skills, and we've set up a healthy-eating scheme with a healthy tuck shop. The football pitch has also been re-laid and we've updated our music recording studio too.

"We have been doing so much this summer - playing in football tournaments against everyone including the local police, going on trips and we're also taking part in the Thames Festival on September 13 and have been busy building a giant puppet for it."

H&F Council and a number of local charities, including Dr Edwards & Bishop King's Fulham Charity, are also contributing money to the scheme.

 

 

 

September 11, 2009