A YORK children’s charity is preparing to celebrate its tenth anniversary.

Knavesmire Cool Kids Club (KCKC), part of Knavesmire Primary School in Trafalgar Street, York, will mark the special birthday with a party in Rowntree Park on August 6.

The charity provides pre- and after-school care for children attending Knavesmire Primary, as well as youngsters from other local schools during holiday periods.

Parents raised £14,000 to establish KCKC, which opened in September 2001. Since then, hundreds of local youngsters have used KCKC, which is run by a volunteer committee.

Club co-ordinator Wendy Sullivan said: “We started doing just two breakfast sessions per week, but the club has grown and grown.

“We now employ five staff and we’ve got three others who help out and we are hoping to expand in the near future.

“We think it is a really important resource for the school and the wider community and the birthday party is a great way for more people to learn about what we do.”

Janet Harrison’s son, Luke Smith, aged five, attends breakfast and after-school club for four days every week, as well as KCKC’s holiday club. She said: “Both my husband and I work full-time and if KCKC didn’t exist we would have to find private child care – which is very scarce in the South Bank area – or try and reduce our hours.

“Luke really enjoys going and it is a happy, safe and caring environment. We know we can leave Luke and he is going to be well looked after and he will have fun.”

Year One pupil Luke said: “Kids’ Club is great. All the ladies are really nice and I get to have breakfast and a snack and play with my friends.”

Preparations are now under way for a birthday party, between 11am and 2pm on August 6, sponsored by Grantside Developments Ltd.

Attractions will include children’s games, crafts, a bouncy castle, displays, refreshments and a kickboxing demonstration. To book a place email coolkidsclub77@yahoo.co.uk.