Hartlepool Carers shortlisted for share of £1million fund - but charity needs your vote

Hartlepool Carers is on the shortlist to win a share of Persimmon Homes’ Building Futures pot supporting under-18s nationwide.

Cash awards of £100,000, £50,000 or £20,000 will be made at a gala dinner in October to those that win the most online votes.

The charity, based in Lowthian Road, provide support to many young carers from as young as just five years old who help to look after loved ones around the clock.

Their goal is to ensure all children have the opportunity for a break from their caring role.

Hartlepool Carers chief executive Christine Fewster said: “It is a huge achievement to have been selected as a regional finalist, but now we really need people to get behind us and get voting so that we are in the strongest possible position to earn one of the top three cash awards on the night.”

The money would go towards overnight breaks that promote positive mental and physical health, and support young people to fulfil their aspirations.

Hartlepool Carers say young carers become exhausted as they do not get regular breaks away and lack opportunities to engage in social opportunities.

It is their ambition to employ a worker to focus on early identification to make sure children get support from the whole community.

Christine added: “We would really appreciate everyone’s support.”

Building Futures is delivered through the Persimmon Charitable Foundation which has enlisted the help of athletes Jason Kenny and Laviai Nielsen to help determine the three regional finalists for each business division.

One initiative from each category will go on to win £100,000 each and there will be a £50,000 second prize and a £20,000 third prize in each sector, while a further 87 shortlisted projects will each receive £5,000.

Online voting runs from Monday, July 27, until midnight on September 18, 2020.

To vote for Hartlepool Carers visit: www.persimmonhomes.com/building-futures/ and select Hartlepool Carers.

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