More than 700 young Nottinghamshire children in care and care leavers are to travel in convoy to Alton Towers
More than 700 Nottinghamshire children in care are to join care leavers in travelling in a convoy to a theme park.
Foster children, foster families, those in residential care and care leavers up to the age of 25, will be treated to a trip to Alton Towers on Saturday.
The fun day was organised by care leaver champion Terry Galloway who lived in more than 100 places during the eighties and nineties during his time in care.
As well as Terry, Newark and Sherwood District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council have been instrumental in the coordination of the trip.
Terry said it was organised to show children they are not alone, there is hope, and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
"I want to give the care leavers of today the benefit of my experience in care," he said.
When I left care, there was very little help available, I felt very much on my own and not prepared for life after care.
"My mission now is to create a better pathway for children in care and care leavers so that they have the support they need, akin to the support we would give our own children."
Those attending will receive a ticket into the theme park, a packed lunch and an unlimited refillable drinks cup to stay hydrated.
Those going on the convoy will meet at County Hall, West Bridgford, on Saturday at 9am before being whisked off in ten coaches.
A total of more than £30,000 was raised to fund the day out, which included working with businesses and councils across the East Midlands.
Volunteers include those from the district and county council as well as Derbyshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and Norman Galloway Lettings.
The convoy is in conjunction with the Nottinghamshire Local Offer, which helps to provide opportunity for young care leavers.
Nottinghamshire County Council was the first upper-tier local authority to introduce council tax exemption as, the first to create a joined local offer for care leavers involving seven other local authorities.
This includes a free membership to council-run leisure centres until the age of 25.
Terry is now campaigning to repeat the offer in over 200 councils across England.
"I put forward my ideas to create apprenticeships and jobs for care leavers at a business breakfast last month," he said.
"Some of the county’s largest retailers and businesses attended and as a result, pledged their support to look at apprenticeships, training and mentoring for care leavers.
"I now want to take that work forward to create a national model.
"My ultimate goal is to create a guaranteed job opportunity with a living wage for every care leaver, supported by job coaches and to get them ready for the world of work and beyond.”
READ MORE:
Care leaver campaigner champions Local Offer providing opportunity to young people
Newark and Sherwood care leavers among first to get free leisure centre memberships
