Fundraising Drive To Make Life Changing Trip A Reality

September 27, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Fundraising drive to make life changing trip a reality

Tuesday 27th September 2016

Could you or your business help to fund a life changing trip to India for local 16 to 18 year olds who are about to leave care?

The Borough’s Leaving Care team are hoping to take a small group of young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) to assist in the building of sanitation for an orphanage in Kerala, India in the October half term and help with English classes at a local school. They will also be helping the orphanages to paint and decorate, and spend time to understand the life experience of orphan children.

Will Carter from the Leaving Care Team is spearheading the fundraising efforts and is looking to raise a further £6,000 to go towards flights to India, essential inoculations, insurances and visas to enter the country.

He says: “We have been organising this trip for many weeks, and we have already raised £6,000 thanks to organisations like Keymed, The Rotary Club and the Lions Club and we are organising further public collections in The Royals too. However we are still short of our target so we need donations, no matter how big or small as soon as possible so we can turn this into a reality.

“I am so passionate about working with our care leavers and feel that this trip will not only help children in India, but enrich their own lives and recognise that life is a gift and should not be taken for granted.

Cllr James Courtenay, Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, says:

“This is a fantastic initiative and the team would be extremely grateful for donations, no matter how big or small. A small donation would mean so much to our young people and the children we are going to help.

“We thank you in advance for your support, this will be a fantastic journey for our young people and will change their lives forever.”

The council’s leaving care team works with care leavers to support them to live independently, remain with a foster carer if that is what they want, and make sure they have a named social worker or personal advisor to co-ordinate the plans for their on-going support.

The team also stay in touch with care leavers and support them to stay at school or college, get a job or go to University.

You can support the campaign by visiting Go Fund Me.