We took the children in care, siblings, foster families, birth children of foster families, carers, social workers and even some friends of the kids in care to make this a fantastic family day out.

They had a fantastic day out on 28th September 2019.

We had other channels of fundraising and we estimate over £30,000 in goodwill was raised.

Thank you so much for donating, we reached our target because of the exceptional charity Merlin Magic Wand, Tesco, Guru Nakak's Mission, the Local Authorities, our landlords and those that donated on this page.

You can show your support for this event by posting a selfie with the event logo and posting the #thebigconvoy hashtag.

We needed your support.

We secured hundreds of tickets from Merlin Magic Wand but need your support to fund the rest of the costs including tickets, food, drinks and transport.

Who went on the trip?

Those that went on the trip were either in care, foster parents, siblings of those in care, foster carers birth children, care workers and care leavers and some friends of those in care from across the East Midlands Local Authority areas. Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Derby City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council, Rutland County Council, Northamptonshire County Council and Lincolnshire County Council

Why I organised this trip.

As a young person growing up in care in the 1980s, losing friends, losing my home and having to start again was difficult and now as an adult I campaign for better outcomes for children in care.

There is a memory from my childhood I will always treasure. It was a sunny September day, and a black cab turned up at the children’s home where I was living, covered in fairy lights and tinsel. We were told we’d be heading for a day out to Blackpool to see the lights. I’d never been to the seaside before, and I was incredibly excited to be going somewhere new.

As we turned around the corner there were over 200 taxis covered in decorations, filled with excited kids from all the other children’s homes and foster homes across Manchester. People had come out and were lining the streets cheering and waving. We felt so special.

I will never forget that day and this has inspired me to create that feeling for other children. What I remember most is how the community came out to support us as we drove in convoy.

This is rare footage of a similar trip showing what it was like for us as the horns went beep beep beep;

Read more about Terry Galloway in a recent magazine article

The 2012 Coach Convoy

In 2012 Sandicliffe Motor Group helped me organise a similar event based on my memories. We took 350 people in a convoy of 7 coaches to Alton Towers.

The wider campaign

I've been working with district and county council local authorities across the East Midlands to create joined up Local Offers for Care Leavers. This involves creating a network including councils, businesses, and community groups.

The overall aim is to create a guaranteed job and living wage subsidy for every care leaver in England whilst ensuring they have access to concrete resources such as housing, mental health and health and welbeing support.

None of this will make much difference unless our children in care get better love and are better prepared for life after care so part of this campaign is a leaving care readiness program.

This song was inspired by my story of going to see the Blackpool Lights.