Cycling to care

Our children’s services staff and care leavers went the extra mile this year to raise much-needed funds to support young people leaving care, as part of Care Leavers Week.

The fundraisers cycled 126 miles and raised more than £265 to support young people leaving care and taking their next step - setting up their homes.

When young people leave care they can struggle in many ways, especially financially.

To raise money to help our care leavers, members of the children’s services team cycled126 miles, on stationary bikes in the Market Square this Thursday 26 October.

Nick Wallis, the council’s cabinet member for children and young people said: "We currently support 186 care leavers. Our staff provide a tremendous service and have a great rapport with the young people.

“The idea to cycle to raise money to support the care leavers came about during a fundraising discussion at a recent care leavers forum meeting.

"They wanted to make the ride meaningful and relevant to Darlington and decided that as the brick train was modelled on the Steam Locomotive Mallard - which in 1938 set a UK rail speed record of 126 miles per hour - 126 miles would be the target!

“When young people leave care, they don’t always have the money needed to set up a home and, throughout the year, we regularly ask for support from residents and local businesses. We are hoping this fundraising idea will raise a lot of much-needed funds to support these tremendous young people."