Worcester running club, The Black Pear Joggers, has once again supported Worcestershire Young Carers by donating a whopping £1,747 to independent charity YSS (Your Support Service).

No stranger to fundraising, the charitable group has previously supported YSS for two years running, gifting over one thousand pounds last year.

This year, the group continued their support after raising money through sponsorship at the ‘Wild One’ race, where two young carers volunteered as stewards.

Jon Cawdron, Worcestershire Young Carers Senior Project Coordinator, attended the running club’s ‘Chip and Chat’ evening which took place at the Old Elizabethan Cricket Club on Monday 15 October. He was presented with a cheque for £1,747 and also gave a short presentation about Worcestershire Young Carers.

Chris Baigent-Reed, a member of the Black Pear Joggers, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support Worcestershire Young Carers. This is the third year we’ve chosen to do so and we’re thrilled that the money we’ve raised can be put towards supporting young carers in the county. Worcestershire Young Carers is a vital service that provides much-needed support, including the rare opportunity to relax, socialise with peers and have fun away from their caring roles.”

Lorraine Preece, YSS Chief Executive, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone at the Black Pear Joggers for their fantastic continued support! A recent BBC report revealed there are as many as 800,000 young carers in England, with six young carers in every secondary classroom. At YSS we support more than 450 young carers in Worcestershire alone, and we know there are many more who need our help.

“It is thanks to generous groups like the Black Pear Joggers, who go over and above to raise money, that we are able to support young carers in the county. Thank you!”

Worcestershire Young Carers has been successfully delivered by YSS since 2003. As well as clubs, trips and activities throughout the year, the service provides one to one support, assessment and signposting to children and young people aged seven to 25 who have a caring role at home.

The Black Pear Joggers also donated to Maggs Day Centre in Worcester.

To find out more about Worcestershire Young Carers or what you can do to support us, please click here.