Published on:
23
March 2010
The Peak Group's trip to Bulgaria, where they will improve life for residents of an orphanage, is edging closer to reality.
The group of young men have made significant progress with their fundraising efforts and learned a lot of new skills that will benefit them on their trip. And now they've agreed to take part in a hair-raising 'waxathon' to raise even more cash.
The Peak Group is a dynamic new project run by Clackmannanshire Council's Community Learning and Development department in partnership with local voluntary sector organisation LADA. The group works with young people aged between 16 and 21 who have a history of offending and substance misuse in an attempt to find new and creative ways of supporting them in an effort to reduce offending behaviour and improve their life skills and life chances.
The trip to Bulgaria, in May 2010, is being organised in partnership with the Bhagavat Educational Trust, who work closely with the Prince's Trust. Their fortnight in the Bulgarian orphanage will be spent carrying out maintenance, repairs and decorating to improve the life of the residents, who are young adults with learning disabilities. The young people will have to pay for these materials, and in an attempt to raise £5000 the group launched a fundraising campaign in November last year.
So far over £1000 has been raised with a 50-mile sponsored cycle around Gartmorn Dam. The group have also received a £200 donation from Alloa Round Table and a £100 donation from the Clackmannanshire branch of the EIS.
The next fundraising event will be a 'waxathon' on Thursday 1st April at 6pm in the LADA office at 38 Primrose Street, Alloa when 11 members of the Peak Group will have their legs waxed. You are invited to send a photographer.
Refreshments will be served and members of the public are welcome to come along and meet the group and the staff, and find out a more about the Bulgarian trip; it will also be an opportunity to find out a bit more about LADA and the work they do to support individuals and families who's lives are effected by their own or someone else's substance misuse.
A number of other fundraising event are currently being planned, including a colossal car wash in April, a bingo tea which will be held at the Bowmar Centre in May, and a grand raffle, for which tickets are on sale now. The first prize for the raffle will be £100 but amongst the other prises on offer are gift vouchers, chocolates, a food hamper, fruit basket, and flowers, all of which have been donated by local businesses; winning tickets will be drawn at the bingo tea in May.
The fundraising appeal will conclude on Sunday 23rd May with a karaoke/disco when the grand total raised for the Bulgarian trip will be announced.
Peak Group member Alexander (20) from Alloa, said: "I feel like since I joined the group everything has started to go well for me. I've not reoffended and I've just finished 9 months' probation. I'm looking to stay out of trouble. I've been applying for jobs and hope to get work. If I can't find a job I might study landscape gardening at college. I'd like to thank everyone who has donated so far and appeal for more local businesses and residents to support us. On behalf of all Peak Group members I would like to say a special thanks to Karen Newbigging, Pauline Shaw and Grant Kerr who work with us every week."
Training completed by the Peak Group so far includes first aid, fire safety, child and vulnerable person's training, introduction to sports such as early touches and tops training, cycling and archery and makaton sign language. The group have been learning basic wood work skills by contributing to the story pole being created in the Make Room as part of the Imagine Alloa project.
The group recently completed the SMART training course delivered by member of Clacks Youth Council, as a result of which they have now achieved their bronze Youth Achievement award which enable young people to develop as successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.
Scott Paterson (19) from Alloa, added: "I have committed no offences since I started coming to the group and have dramatically reduced the amount of alcohol I drink. I am looking forward to the trip to Bulgaria. I feel we are working well together as a team. I want to thank Community Learning and Development, LADA link and the Clacks Youth Council for all the support and for everything they have done for us. Now that I have got my youth achievement award I am looking to getting more certificates and am thinking about going back to college and completing my gardening course."
The Peak Group, which is partially funded by Clackmannanshire Alliance's Community Safety Partnership and the Fairer Scotland Fund, has received a number of significant visitors.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland Ann McKechin met the group at the Bowmar Centre in February. MP for Ochil and South Perthshire Gordon Banks accompanied Ms McKechin. Clackmannanshire's new area commander Alan Douglas and Dan Gunn, Glenochil Prison Governor are also very interest in supporting the Peak Group.
Councillor Bobby McGill, depute Council leader, said: "Congratulations to the Peak Group on their fundraising efforts so far. I hope they continue to receive the support they need to make this trip to Bulgaria to improve the physical surroundings of these young people in an orphanage."
If you would like to offer the Peak Group your support - for example if you can offer work experience, sponsorship or donations - please contact Karen Newbigging, Community Learning & Development Worker on 763950 mob 07817033651 or email knewbigging@clacks.gov.uk