Dear Friends,

Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Covid 19 has exacerbated many problems for vulnerable young people, such as homelessness, domestic abuse & family breakdown, mental health issues, and unemployment. The work of YMCA East Surrey has never been more important, and through our challenge events, we are aiming to raise £80,000 in 2021 for projects to help young people build resilience, self belief and confidence to overcome the challenges they face:

1) We are setting up a new housing scheme in Horley for 12 young people aged 18+, providing affordable accommodation and a package of holistic support including searching for employment, volunteering , life skills, fitness & wellbeing. We need £18,000 to kit out the 12 units.

2) A new Youth Work Project will reach >1000 young people aged 11-19, to be run from Surrey County Council Youth Centres in Horley, Merstham, Tadworth & Redhill, providing free open access youth club activities including sport & social activities, & detached youth work, supporting young people in their life choices.

3) A greatly expanded Emotional Wellbeing & Mental Health Service will support >2,300 young people with free counselling, WAVES youth groups, well being champions & schools workers. This work is supported by Surrey County Council & Surrey Heartlands but there is a shortfall of £30,000.

4)The YMCA Young Volunteers Project will provide  supported opportunities for young people  to improve confidence, self esteem and develop skills.

As you can see, we are ambitious in our plans - please would you consider helping the Y help young people in our community by supporting me in taking on 'The Island'  Isle of Wight '  bike ride?  We will be cycling 200 miles over 3 days, from Redhill to Portsmouth, round the Isle of Wight, then back from Portsmouth to Redhill.  Having done very little cycling over the pandemic, I definitely need to get training, but hope to be fit by June 4th!

 Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they will not sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they send your money directly to the charity. So it is the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

On behalf of the YMCA, thank you very much for your support.