Leeds DCS takes on care leavers' challenges to fund Christmas dinner
Fiona Simpson
Friday, December 6, 2019
The director of children's services (DCS) in Leeds has taken on three adrenaline-fuelled challenges to help fund a Christmas dinner for the city’s care leavers.
Steve Walker threw himself into the challenges - including a skydive - set by care leavers in order to give 50 young people and their own children a Christmas Day to remember.
For his first challenge, Walker took on the infamous Yorkshire Three Peaks - a gruelling 24-mile trek complete with a 1,585 metre climb.
In November, Walker abseiled 35m down Leeds Beckett University’s famous Portland Building.
And, for his final challenge, the DCS took to the skies over the East Yorkshire coast to skydive from 10,000 ft.
Steve Walker, Care Leavers Challenge No 3 https://t.co/JCrgg0t5aO via @YouTube
— Stephen Walker (@SteveWLeeds) December 3, 2019
The three challenges have raised almost £4,000 to help fund the Christmas lunch which is run entirely by volunteers and paid for with donations.
This year will mark the fifth care leavers Christmas dinner in Leeds. The idea was founded by poet Lemn Sissay, who spent his childhood in care, in Manchester for communities to provide a Christmas Day for care leavers aged between 18 and 25.
Big thank you to everyone at SkyDive GB for being so brilliant. A special thank you to Simon for refusing the bribes and getting me down safely! Will upload the video as soon as I get some technical support @Child_Leeds @Clud_Up @FionaVenner pic.twitter.com/oHUqXnYHht
— Stephen Walker (@SteveWLeeds) December 1, 2019
Walker said: “Some years ago a group of care leavers heard of the idea of a care leavers Christmas dinner that brought care leavers, who would otherwise be on their own, together to celebrate Christmas.
“The three challenges to raise funds were the care leavers’ ideas and I was happy to accept them for such a good cause. The fact that so many staff from across children and families services have also volunteered is brilliant and shows that care leavers are part of the family.”
Lisa Holdsworth, chair of the Leeds care leavers Christmas dinner steering group, said: “Every year we are overwhelmed by the generous donations of money, gifts and time from the people of Leeds. However, this year Steve really has gone above and beyond with his challenges. We couldn’t be more grateful or impressed.”
