WOW! Thanks for clicking a link to this bit!

I've worked at SYA for 17 years, and in the past 5 years I have seen the numbers of vulnerable children and young people we work with increase from 300 a year to 1000 this year! Our services are so full we've had to close some to new referrals, and we DON'T WANT TO!

Children, no matter their disability, caring responsibility or mental health issue, deserve to have safe spaces they can make friends and have fun. Those spaces do not exist on their computers, but in person... IRL (In Real Life to anyone Millennial or older) where they learn life skills like communication, independence, sharing, cooking, and have their likes, dislikes, concerns, dreams and emotions validated by staff who care.

This marathon will help to pay for staff so we can increase the number of young people who can come to our youth clubs and holiday schemes. These are vulnerable young people who need DIRECT and SPECIALIST support to engage, and without the funds to pay for those extra staff the young people just can't come.

Your donation will enable more children and young people to have safe, nurturing access to play and social interaction. Your donation WILL make a difference. YOU are making a difference. THANK YOU.