There are moments in the Youth Zone that remind us exactly why we do what we do.
Seeing three determined and courageous young people, Olivia, Lilly and Tilly, sign up for the Nuclear Race is one of those moments.
They will be taking on an intense challenge involving mud crawls, freezing water plunges and physically demanding obstacles, with a goal of raising £2,000 to support Future Youth Zone and young people across the borough.
Olivia's journey with Future began when she first walked through the doors at just nine-years-old as a Junior member.
Over the years, she has blossomed into one of the Youth Zone's most passionate and dedicated Young Leaders, channelling her love of dancing and singing into inspiring the young people around her.
Her story is a testament to what the Youth Zone makes possible when young people are given the right environment to grow.
Lilly, though only two years into her time at Future, has made an extraordinary impact in a short space of time.
She has thrown herself wholeheartedly into everything on offer and, beyond her role as a Young Leader, sits within a wider network of young people who have a genuine say in how Youth Zones across the country are run.
Her voice matters, and she knows it.
Then there is Tilly, who first joined as a Junior member at the age of eight and, like Olivia, has discovered a passion for singing and dance along the way.
Though not yet old enough to be a Young Leader, she has been so inspired by Olivia and Lilly that she has signed up for the Nuclear Race and plans to begin volunteering at the Youth Zone when she turns 14.
None of these three are paid. Nobody asked them to do this. They are doing this because they care about this place and the young people in it. That means more to us can ever be put into words.
The Nuclear Race is one of the UK's toughest obstacle challenges, and they will be taking on the gruelling 6km on Sunday, May 10.
All the money they raise will go directly towards keeping our doors open and our support available to every young person in Barking and Dagenham who needs it.
Every donation means the world to these three girls, and to every young person we support. Please give what you can at: tinyurl.com/3mxusr8a
- Gershom Clarke is CEO of Future Youth Zone (futureyouthzone.org).
Share