RCT 'Young Runaway' project launched

RCT Young Runaway project launch - Mayor Keith Swift presents a certificate to Karl Stott

17 More Image(s) In Gallery

Chief Superintendent John O'Hare launched the 'Young Runaway' project at Rochdale Connections Trust (RCT). The Friends of RCT (the volunteer fundraising arm of RCT) have raised £10,000 to kick the project off and, as a added boost, RCT has recently been given a BBC Children in Need grant of over £100,000 for 3 years to support young runaways.

Chief Superintendent O'Hare said: "The Young Runaway project needs all the support we can give it because it seeks to help some of the most vulnerable young people in the Borough. It is an honour to launch the project."

Kathy Thomas, Chief Executive of RCT said: "The project will involve one of our Development Workers (Jenny Miller) visiting the young person who has run away at their home and offering some mentoring support, if required, in order to stop them running away again. We are working with the Police and the Local Authority on developing this project.

Following the Young Runaway launch there was a presentation ceremony where the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Keith Swift presented certificates to young people and volunteers:

Young People

• Lindsay Bowker
• Karl Stott
• Danielle Brashser
• Sam Lett
• Charley Armstrong
• Suzanne Martin
• Ruby Brown
• Jamie Stewart
• Stephanie Rushworth
• Anthony Mannion
• Alisha Simister
• Katherine Doyle
• Shannon Mudd

Staff Member

• Liquat Ali

Volunteers

• Julie Woollams
• Mark Wrigley
• Graham Fitton

Mayor Swift said: "Volunteers make things happen and I would like to say a big thank you, on behalf of all the people of the Borough, to the volunteers and staff for making this project work."

The Chairwoman of the Friends of RCT, Jean Bennett presented the cheque for £10,000 and Marlene Stanton, who was recently awarded a sum of money for completing over 30 years as a voluntary worker, presented her cheque as a donation to RCT.

Amongst the Friends of RCT present was Jim Dobbin MP who had defied government whips to return to Rochdale for what he said was the launch of "a very important project".