The Big Push was arranged by one of our amazing managers. It’s part of a campaign to raise money for various residences and their gardens ahead of summer. And you are welcome to help!
On a beautifully warm day at Eastrop Park, teams from across our charity came together to take part in a walk and wheelchair challenge. It was full of smiles, laughter and plenty of action. Residents came from four services. These were:
- Millmount: Malcolm, Geraldine and Lucy
- Byron Close: Jo, Clare and Gemma
- Byways: Ben, Sarah and Mason
- Darlington: Brian, Jenny and Emma
Special visitors
At 1pm, we were delighted to welcome Mayor Cllr Colin Phillimore, who stopped by to support the event. We were also joined by Hayley Connor, along with YOU Trust Trustee Brian Colvin and his wife, making the afternoon even more special. There were some walking achievements too:
- Jo Bellamy powered through an impressive 7 laps
- Gemma Wills followed closely with 6 laps
Everyone who took part received a certificate and medal, well deserved recognition for their efforts.
Donate to the gardens
Donate to our charity
Email: nigel.quelch@theyoutrust.org.uk if you’d like to help with monatary/material donations.
A big push and loop
The team set off at around 11am, looping their way around the park until midday before taking a well‑earned lunch break in the picnic area. Some people treated themselves to hot dogs and chips from the park food stand, while others went straight for ice creams to cool down in the sunshine.
With clear blue skies above Eastrop Park, many of our walkers weren’t ready to stop there and headed off for even more laps, proving just how committed (and energetic!) they were.
Community connections
One of the loveliest surprises of the day was how many people walking around the park stopped to chat with us about our charity. One enthusiastic member of the public even volunteered her husband to help with gardening. A perfect example of how these events help connect us with the wider community.
A huge thank you goes out to Edward, Cliff, Jane Bellamy, Simon and Oli Maple for helping to set up the gazebo. And for giving us a welcoming base for the day. We’re also incredibly grateful to all the staff and family members who came along to support. A special shout‑out to Mason for capturing the day with some fantastic drone footage! You’ll be able to see that on our channel very soon.
A day to remember
The Big Push was a joyful, welcoming and uplifting event filled with teamwork, fresh air and community spirit. Thank you to everyone who made it such a success, we’re already looking forward to the next one!
Garden upgrades
We’d greatly appreciate if if you could help sponsor one of our gardens. That might be with money, materials, or even your time helping dig! In particular, we’re looking for:
- Wood
- Soil
- Gravel
- garden chip wood
- Wooden beams for raised beds
This is a great opportunity for local businesses to also get involved! If you’re interested, please email: nigel.quelch@theyoutrust.org.uk.
