Apprentices sent packing
Winchester City Council’s 19 apprentices raised money to provide support Winchester and District Young Carers by packing bags for customers of Sainsbury’s in Badger Farm, Winchester, on a busy day (Thursday 17 April) before the Easter weekend.
The group of enthusiastic apprentices managed to raise a total of £500.60 thanks to generous shoppers. With more fundraising events coming up they are well on their way to reaching their goal to cover the costs of installing a gazebo at King Alfred Youth Centre in Winnall in time for the summer.
Winchester and District Young Carers is an independent charity which provides a service for young carers aged 8 to 17 throughout the Winchester District. They aim to improve the lives of children and young people with caring responsibilities by providing safe, quality support to individuals and offering an inclusive, wide-ranging, and holistic approach which considers the needs of the whole family.
With a staff dress-down day and a cake sale also in the pipeline the Council apprentices are gaining new skills as well as working together for the good of their local community.
Nina Harper, an apprentice in Winchester City Council’s Human Resources team, said:
It’s great to take part in such positive fundraising activities as it’s an opportunity for us to give something back to the community whilst raising awareness for such a great local charity. The support we receive from our colleagues at the Council and local residents is phenomenal. Knowing we are helping young carers makes it all worthwhile.
Ben Hogbin, manager of Winchester and District Young Carers, added:
The young carers and I are pleased to receive any help and donations to the charity but the City Council apprentices are really going the extra mile by providing us with a gazebo we can use for years to come.”
The apprentices are planning to complete the project in time for National Volunteering Week (1 to 7 June 2014) when they will begin a new community challenge.
For more information or to donate directly to the young carers visit their website at http://wycp.org.uk/