Join us for our virtual walking challenge and help raise awareness for young people with caring responsibilities.

Census data identifies 173,000 young carers in the UK (2016), though BBC research projects up to 700,000, or 3 times as many, have caring needs that are yet to be identified and this need has increased over the last year.

That's why Spurgeons Young Carers Services in Birmingham and Wolverhampton are challenging you to walk the distance between our two offices over the course of one month starting on National Young Carers Action Day 16th March 2021 until 16th April 2021 to help raise awareness of the struggles facing the young people they work with and to highlight the incredible skills these young people have developed through being a carer - like resilience and empathy.

Sign up to walk a total of 18 miles, at your own pace, anytime, anywhere and raise money for Young Carers Services in the West Midlands.

SIGN UP TODAY VIA EVENTBRITE

Once you have signed up, start fundraising today via Just Giving and spread the word.

Share your challenge on social media using #StepForwardforYoungCarers and tag Spurgeons so we can spur you on. Don't forget to get your friends and family involved and share your Just Giving page with them so they can support you in your challenge - they may want to join in too!

How could my donation make a difference?

A contribution of £5 could provide refreshments at our group sessions where young people can meet others in similar situations to themselves.

£10 can provide a young carer with a 'pick me up' wellbeing pack.

£15 could pay for a respite day for a young carer to enable them to visit the zoo or the seaside.

£25 could pay for a wellbeing payment for a family, providing vital essentials when they need them most.

A donation of £50 can cover the costs of a training session for our young carers to learn basic first aid skills.

By signing up you have the option of purchasing a fundraising pack that includes a t-shirt, stickers, pen and information about the support we provide for young carers.

Alternatively, you can still take part by signing up for free and raise money for a good cause.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP NOW AND GET YOUR FUNDRAISING PACK ON EVENTBRITE

About Spurgeons Young Carers Services:

Spurgeons supports around 800 young people aged 8 to 18 through our Young Carers services in Birmingham and Wolverhampton.

These young people are caring for a family member with an illness or disability.

They have to grow up too fast - the need to balance their caring responsibilities with school leaves them little time to have fun with their friends.

We work in partnership with other agencies to support young carers individually and within their families in a range of ways, including.

Spurgeons offers a wide range of services to support young carers, from mentoring and educational support to activities and trips away to give them much needed time out from their caring duties.

Please note: All participants taking part in the Step Forward For Young Carers Challenge do so entirely at their own risk and so far as permitted by law, Spurgeons Children's Charity shall not be liable for any injury, damage or loss to participants or their property that might occur as a result of their participaction.