The success of NORCAS's first public appeal enables the charity to provide support for young carers.
Since launching its ‘Too Much Too Young’ appeal last year, NORCAS has raised more than £73,000 for children across Norfolk and Suffolk who are affected by and caring for parents who are misusing drugs and/or alcohol.
The campaign is the first public appeal NORCAS has run throughout its 33 year history and following its success, the charity is pleased to announce the appointment of Jade Claxton as its very first affected others worker for a two year post working with young people in Norfolk. The role will involve providing one to one support for the young person concerned, facilitating group work and building relationships with other agencies who currently work with affected others in the county.
Norwich City Football Club chief, David McNally, pledged his support by agreeing to run the 2011 Virgin London Marathon, which took place on April 17th, on behalf of the appeal. We would like to thank David for all his efforts and to date raising nearly £14,000 towards the ‘Too Much Too Young’ appeal.
Mr McNally said, “It’s for a fantastic cause. We’ve got lots of children who are vulnerable in Norfolk as a result of their parents suffering from problems with alcohol, gambling or drugs.”
Local and national research has revealed that an estimated 30,000 children in Norfolk and Suffolk below the age of 16 are living with parents who misuse drugs and alcohol. The true figure is likely to be even higher. In some cases children as young as five are being put in the position of trying to take care of their parents, often being forced to skip school to look after them and deal with their sickness.
There is not currently sufficient statutory funding available to support these children and so NORCAS decided to launch its ‘Too Much Too Young’ appeal back in October 2010 to raise funds to be able to start to help some of the children affected.
Having invested just £1000 to get it off the ground, the appeal has reached a total of £73,000 thanks to generous donations from local trusts, individuals and members of the public.
For more information about the fundraising appeal and the work NORCAS intends to do in 2011, please log on to www.toomuchtooyoungappeal.org.uk. You can also donate online through the website if you are able to offer support.