Hull businessman Shaun Watts has taken the chair at a charity providing educational support for young people across East Yorkshire.
The head of Chameleon Business Interiors succeeds Wykeland Group managing director Dominic Gibbons at the helm of Run With It.
Based at the MKM Stadium in Hull, Run With It focuses on raising the levels of literacy and numeracy in the region. Since it was established more than 20 years ago, it has helped more than 2,000 young people, by getting them out of the traditional classroom for real-life experiences which support their studies.
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Shaun said: “I feel privileged to assume the role of chair for this exceptional charity. Witnessing the profound impact that Run With It has on the lives of young children is truly remarkable and I am convinced that the organisation has the potential to make an even greater difference by providing invaluable support to thousands more children in the future.”
Working with schools and education providers, including special needs and adult learners, all programmes are designed to support the delivery of the national curriculum.
Lisa Dawson, who set up the charity, said she is looking forward to working alongside Shaun.
“We are so pleased that Shaun has accepted the position as our new chair,” she said. “It will be great to have a fresh set of eyes at board level as we look ahead to our future growth.
“Not all children respond to the classroom environment so, with our programmes, they often don’t even realise they are learning and improving all the time. We have had great success over the years. All of a sudden they understand the purpose of what they are
being taught at school because they are seeing it in a real-life, practical context. In addition, we help with self-esteem, mental wellbeing and key workplace skills that they are going to need both now and in the future.”
Mr Gibbons was described as having played an integral part in the charity for more than a decade. Wykeland remains on the board with finance director Ian Franks becoming a registered trustee.
“We’d also like to say a big thank you to Dominic for all the help, support and commitment he has given us, getting us set up as a charity and establishing our board of trustees,” Ms Dawson said.
Flemingate shopping centre in Beverley is another location used as a backdrop, with Bridlington Town Football Club too.
More than 20 businesses already support the charity across the three sites, but more are being sought.
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