Let cash quest commence

The Shirt of Hurt derby challenge was devised by two parent support workers at Blackpool Carers Centre – to help kick off this year’s Cash Quest for Carers.

Evertonian Emma Whitty-Haddock was left red faced in a Liverpool FC shirt while a decidedly abashed Liverpool fan Duncan Campbell looked blue in Everton colours.

The sporting pair form one of six staff teams under one roof at Beaverbrooks House – the charity’s HQ – hoping to give 18 other rival corporate and community teams a run for their money.

With the job of young carers’ champion currently up for grabs –the goal of all 24 teams is to drum up cash from a £50 refundable starter stake and raise enough to fund the job for 12 months.

The new champion will have 12 months’ paid employment, assist with fundraising for the proposed respite lodge for young carers, provide a positive role model for young carers accessing the service and raise awareness of young carers and the support available.

Applicants should be aged from 16 to under 25 and have experience of being a young carer.

It is not essential they are registered with Blackpool Carers Centre or that their carer role is current.

The 15-week cash quest ends on September 30 and there will be an awards presentation on Friday October 1 at The Big Birthday Bash organised to celebrate the charity’s first year at Beaverbrooks House on Newton Drive.

All 24 teams have hit the ground running.

On September 10 the Goalden Girls – a group of women in their 50s and 60s who raise funds for worthy causes through half and full marathons and other challenges – will take on the 13.1 mile Great North Run from Newcastle to South Shields.

They have been in the quest from the start and also assisted with the DIY SOS make-over at Beaverbrooks House on Newton Drive, which was watched by 3.9m viewers on Children in Need night in November.

Last year, Goalden Girls founder members Tricia Ellis and Avril Garrow scaled The Big One. In 2015 the Goalden Girls staged a 70s flash mob dance at the Grosvenor 
Casino.

At the very first quest – in 2014 – they joined FunnyGirls to dance Gangnam style at the burlesque show bar.

Other teams competing include: The Gym Club; Blackhurst Budd Solicitors; Breakaway (led by carer Sarah Poyner); Burtons Biscuits’ Cookie Monster; two teams made up of DIY SOS volunteers Wayne Burgess (Wayne’s World) and CV Maintenance Solutions (Carl Vidoretti and John Green – who have already hosted a golf tournament at Stanley Park); carer and sports memorabilia specialist Rob Frowen (who won the Marsh Trust national Carer of the Year award this year); the Educational Diversity team led by Lesley Slack; carer Hazel Hall’s Enchanted Events; Waterloo Cares (Waterloo Primary School); Spire Fylde Coast Hospital (which is also running a series of free information events at Beaverbrooks House featuring specialist medics); Year Six of Holy Family Primary School; Team SG of St Georges School; TLL Accountants; Paul Jebb (chairman of trustees who takes on the Three Peaks and other challenges); Imperial Hotel – and the one they all want to beat: Sandcastle 
WaterPark which has raised the most cash for the last three years.

There’s also healthy in-house rivalry with six teams from the charity competing, two parent carers teams and other teams from adult carers, young carers, administrative and senior leadership.

In 2014 13 teams raised £12,875, in 2015 16 teams raised £15,821 and last year 23 teams raised £19,516.

Charity CEO Michelle Smith explains: “The benchmark is set higher with each year. It’s a really fun quest. It’s lovely to see so many familiar faces back supporting our cash quest for carers 2017 and new teams taking part, too.

“They’re all out to give the Sandcastle a run for their money this year – and help us celebrate our first birthday in Beaverbrooks House.”

Blackhurst Budd Solicitors are not only supporting the cash quest but have given £3,500 to get the new £300k respite lodge campaign off to a great start.

Warren Spencer, MD of Blackhurst Budd, explained: “The role undertaken by the many carers in Blackpool can often go under the radar.

“The plans to redevelop the annex are fantastic and will help to ensure carers get the opportunity to have a well deserved break knowing their loved ones are in safe hands.”

The charity’s respite lodge appeal has also been chosen as the main civic charity by Blackpool Mayor Coun Ian Coleman.

A Cinderella Ball, in support of the young carers’ project, is being held at the Clifton Arms Hotel, Lytham, on October 7.

Meantime, there’s a Care Fest, with live bands and 
solo artists, at Beaverbrooks House itself, on August 25 from 6-10pm.

For information on how to support the quest, apply for the job of young carers champion, or get tickets for any of the events, call (01253) 393748 or email [email protected]