Foster children raise money for children at the Royal Cornwall Hospital
A group of our foster children, aged between seven and 16, organised a charity bike ride to raise funds to buy presents for children staying in the Royal Cornwall Hospital over the Christmas period.
The children and young people who took part are all currently in foster care through our Cornwall office in Truro. The idea to host the charity bike ride came from two young people in care during a Make a Difference meeting. The meetings are made up of fostered children from across the West Country who worked together to plan the activity.
On Saturday, November 23rd, seven young people and nine foster carers cycled a combined total of 200 miles along the Camel Trail from Wadebridge to Padstow, raising over £800. They were supported by our support and social workers and were greeted at the finish line with chocolate brownies.
One of our fostering support workers took the two youngsters to buy boardgames, including Dobble and Uno, wooden train sets, wooden fire engines, books, puzzles, craft boxes of pens and glue, colouring books, DVDs and Xbox games and baby toys as Christmas presents for the children spending Christmas in hospital. They also gifted 200 strings of Fibre Optic Side Glows for nursing staff to provide a sensory experience at children’s bedsides.
On Christmas Eve, the two young people who organised the event, along their carers, one of whom dressed as Father Christmas, went to the hospital to hand out Christmas presents. Each child on the ward was greeted by Father Christmas and one of our fostering support workers and supervising social worker.
Sarah Wells, service manager at Five Rivers in Truro, said: “This event has been a fantastic opportunity for children and young people in care to give back to their communities and a reminder for us all on the importance of working together as a team to create a special memory for someone else.
“The two young people who came up with the idea have been overwhelmed by the experience and are very keen to repeat the activity later in the year. Thank you to every child and young person who made the charity bike ride happen. It wouldn’t have been possible without their dedication and teamwork.”
If you would like to know more about how you can help a child in need, or the personal and career benefits of fostering, or would just like an information chat with our team, you can reach us on 0345 266 0272 or carer.enquiries@five-rivers.org