YMCA young people come together to raise Tsunami appeal funds

5 January 2005

YMCAs in the UK and Ireland have pledged over £30,000 to Y Care International’s Tsunami emergency appeal, and marginalised young people in YMCAs are actively raising funds for people devastated by the disaster.

Giving from own pockets

Norfolk YMCA has pledged £5,000, some of which was raised by young residents donating sports competition prizes, and by youth workers donating parts of their Christmas salaries. Residents of YMCA Norwich’s St Giles Hostel have planned events and collections and requested that the spending money they were due to receive over Christmas and New Year be donated to the Tsunami appeal.

Eddie Plebam, Duty Manager of YMCA Norfolk, said: “On New Years Eve the extent of the emergency really hit everyone and all the residents got together to decide how they could help. The lads have come to us with their loose change and are really keen to do all they can. We were quite amazed at how much they were willing to give and it has made us very proud."

Inclusive fundraising

West London YMCA has engaged young people and staff in a wide range of innovative and inclusive fundraising activities, and has made an initial pledge of £5,000.

Michael Johnson, Chaplain of West London YMCA, said: “The response from our young members of staff has been overwhelming. Many have offered to organise the collection of funds and fundraising activities with our young people. We hope that the £5,000 is just a start.”

Gifts have been received from YMCAs in Kingston, Hornsey, Liverpool and many others. YMCA Training has also pledged support and its training centres are collecting funds.

Contemplate wider issues

Young people in YMCAs in Bradford, Grimsby, Leeds, Sheffield, Waltham Forest and High Wycombe are also collecting spare change for the Y Care International appeal. YMCAs in the north of England are planning coffee mornings to be held on 26 January to mark one month after the disaster.

The mornings will raise funds for the emergency appeal and also provide an opportunity for young people to discuss and contemplate the wider issues surrounding the disaster.

Proud of young people

Chris Roles, Chief Executive of Y Care International, said: “We have been so moved by the response of the public to our appeal, but what has been just as astonishing is that disadvantaged young people from YMCAs are giving both their time and money to helping those left with nothing after this disaster.

YMCAs can feel proud of their young people, of the sacrifices they are making and the understanding and compassion they are showing for young people affected by the Tsunami.”