THE SALFORD CHARITY CHAMPION WHO SAVED THE 'JAM BUTTY CAMP' HAS QUITE RIGHTLY BEEN AWARD AN MBE

It brings us great pleasure to announce that our friend Nick Abbott FRICS, Partner at Manchester-based Chartered Quantity Surveyors Simon Fenton Partnership, has been awarded an MBE for services to Young People and Social Inclusion in Salford in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021.

Nick, 53, has been honoured for his outstanding contribution as Chair of local charities: Salford Foundation, Salford Foundation Trust and the Salford Children’s Holiday Camp in Prestatyn. This accolade recognises the difference that Nick and his charity colleagues have made to the lives of young people and families across the City of Salford. 

In response to receiving the award, Nick said:

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“As a proud Salfordian, I have always been committed to helping improve young people’s lives in Salford. I was raised in the Ordsall area of the city surrounded by love, friendship and a community that helped those in need, the work I do is a continuation of this. I hope that I can inspire others to do the same”.

The Trust supports children and young people by providing opportunities for personal development and growth with a focus on offering activities that support young people’s mental wellbeing. Since 2004 we have supported more than 700 young Salfordians.

The Trust provides help to families whose financial circumstances limit young people’s opportunities for development. In the longer term, we also support talented young people who cannot develop their talent without financial assistance e.g., a regional and national swimming champion from a low-income family, a Cerebral Palsy world championship participant amongst many other examples. Lack of financial resources should not be a barrier to success for talented young people in our city.

In 2015, Nick was part of the team who saved the Salford Children’s Holiday in Prestatyn from closure, raising over £100,000 to refurbish the camp which re-opened in 2016. Since its re-opening, the camp has provided a holiday by the sea for over 3,000 children, young carers and families.

Many of those who attended had never been to the seaside or had a holiday previously. 

The camp has gone from strength to strength over the years since reopening and has been revamped and improved, with a new play area among other facilities added.

Upon its reopening in 2016 the camp threw a celebratory party which was attended not only by dignitaries from both Salford and Prestatyn but also by former campers from Salford who came out in their thousands to support the efforts against its closure so as to ensure that further generations of children can continue to experience the special experience they once had.

Nick added,

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“our refurbishment and modernisation of the camp continues, and we have embarked upon an ambitious fundraising programme aiming to raise over £1 million to celebrate the camp’s 100th year anniversary in 2022. 

We are proud of what we have achieved so far and are committed to help more young people achieve their aspirations. This would not be possible without our amazing team and benefactors, who, like me, are committed and passionate about improving the lives of young people in Salford.”

 

Nick is a true Salford community hero and his award is much deserved.