Back in December, the Knowsley Children in Care Team took part in the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash – the biggest and longest-running race of its kind in the UK – to raise funds for the children and young people they look after, as part of our wider Mersey Care's Give a Gift to Children in Care Appeal.
The team raised over £500 thanks to the kind donations of people in the community, more than doubling their £250 target. We're now delighted to share with you that the money raised has been used to support young people at an annual event for care experienced young people organised by Knowsley Local Authority Care Experienced Service and supported by Knowsley Children in Care Health Team.
The Knowsley Children in Care Team supports the health and well-being of children from birth to age 25, by means of a health assessment, many of whom arrive with minimal belongings.
Your donations supported the Knowsley Care Experienced event
Donations to our Gift a Gift to Children in Care Appeal enabled us to provide the young people attending the event with a Christmas lunch as well as a £30 gift card, gifts including sports clothing, selection boxes, and a hamper.
It was attended by around 20 young people, alongside health and local authority colleagues.
Michael Allcock, Team Manager for Knowsley Looked After Service, who also took part in the Santa Dash, said of the event:
“The Knowsley Children in Care Health Team attended the Cared for Experience event in December 2023. The event supports our young people who have been in care and are moving into adulthood or who have recently become adults.
“The service has received amazing generous donations following the Liverpool Santa Dash and we were able to provide each young person who attended the event with a gift card as well as gifts and a Christmas hamper. Also, Everton In The Community provided training clothes to the event.
“Christmas dinner and dessert was available to all, and the event was really well received with everyone enjoying themselves.
"Being able to provide these gifts has been able to put a smile on the faces of those who our service support and for us this is what Christmas is all about.”
The Santa Dash marked a great start to our Give a Gift to Children in Care Appeal, which is seeking to raise £10,000 to help hundreds of children across Liverpool, Knowsley, St Helens and Sefton.
Donating to our Give a Gift to Children in Care Appeal
Donating to our Give a Gift to Children in Care appeal will allow our Children in Care teams to support children and young people with essentials including toothbrushes and sanitary products, as well as providing items such as dressing gowns or slippers where needed. If you’d like to make a donation you can learn more: Gift a Gift to a Children in Care Appeal
If you wish to put on a Santa suit and run for the next Santa Dash event, you can register your place for 2024.