On Wednesday 24th June, nine young people, ten Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service colleagues and Merlin the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) dog travelled around 40-miles across road and sea as part of a special baton relay event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust.
The relay leg across Tyne and Wear took place on Day Three of a five-day, region-wide event, during which an Olympic torch-style baton is passed through Redcar, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Tyne and Wear, and Northumberland.
The Tyne and Wear leg visited a number of local landmarks including The Angel of the North; Washington ‘F’ Pit Museum; Cox Green Footbridge; Penshaw Monument; Souter Lighthouse and The Leas; and finishing with a trip across the River Tyne on-board the Nexus-operated Shields Ferry (travelling from South Shields to North Shields). This is where they handed the baton over to representatives from the Newcastle United Foundation.
John Anderson, Diversionary Activities Manager, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are proud to support The King’s Trust as it celebrates 50 years of empowering young people. The programme provides a vital springboard, helping individuals build confidence, self-esteem and the life experience they need to succeed both socially and professionally. “At Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, we see first-hand the positive impact it has – giving young people the skills, resilience and belief to fulfil their potential and play an active role in their communities.”
The TWFRS King’s Trust TEAM programme takes place across three community fire stations at Farringdon, South Shields and Washington.
TEAM is a free, 12-week personal development programme for young people aged 16–25 who are not in full-time employment, education or training. It is delivered in three community fire stations at Farringdon, South Shields and Washington.
The course offers each participant a valuable opportunity to discover hidden talents, take on new challenges and develop into a more confident, capable individual. TEAM is designed to boost confidence, motivation and employability skills, and providing the young people with the chance to build a strong foundation for future success, while also providing the chance to meet new people and enhance their CV.
The relay is a fun way of letting people know the importance of the King’s Trust and how many lives it has changed over the past five-decades.
If you are aged between 16 and 25 and would like to sign up for the next King’s Trust programme across Tyne and Wear then please register your interest by filling out the following form.