Young people from Whitleigh’s Barefoot Youth Charity have been stepping out in style to raise money for a forthcoming trip to visit the Houses of Parliament.
The youngsters are members of the Barefoot youth charity Whitleigh group and they trekked to the Council House in Plymouth city centre to meet the Lord Mayor and find out more about local politics.
With a name like Barefoot it’s not surprising that this charity just can’t stop walking. A recent fundraising walk supported by 29 Commando Royal Artillery saw young people and supporters raising over £1700 for Barefoot’s SpaceShot youth work in the north of the city.
Barefoot’s director Richard Marsh said:
“Having worked with over 500 young people in 2022 and with costs rising we’re constantly in need of extra funds. With grants becoming harder to get we’re getting more fundraising events off the ground and our young people are literally taking steps to make sure they’re a success.”
Regulars at Barefoot’s youth sessions in Whitleigh who took part in the walks included Archie Barton who completed the last section of the Dartmoor event on his prosthetic legs.
This helped inspire the young people who had embarked on the politics project to choose another sponsored walk as a way of helping to fund their trip to London. While they’re there they’ll tour parliament and learn more about how the country is governed.
Barefoot professional youth worker Jon Dingle said:
“We’ve run politics projects before and it’s something our young people have a keen interest in. So it was great when we learned the Lord Mayor would receive us at the Council House and that the walk would also let our young people see where important decisions are made about their city.”
Barefoot has more fundraising events in the pipeline to help it sustain its weekly youth sessions in Ernesettle, Whitleigh and St Budeaux. The charity also provides free activities, trips, projects and opportunities for local young people.
Find out more about Barefoot, its SpaceShot youth work and its fundraising events at www.barefoot.org.uk
