Caring for the Carers ~ November 2007

We have just had a great Away Day with this group. Gerald, Phil and I joined nine youngsters (ages 9 to 16, boys and girls) and two staff members in their minibus and travelled to the Mersey Ferry and onwards to the Spaceport Ehibition at Birkenhead. The visit was great fun and the kids had a whale of a time!! All of them new each other from attending the Southport Carers club, and from having been to Anglesey at the Away Weekend. Its difficult to discribe a bunch of kids who are almost always dedicated to looking after either parents or siblings who are ill or otherwise handicapped. They all share that common weight of responsibility which must surely make for very old heads on very young shoulders.......but when they get together with only fun in mind....they all know how to do it ...and they become daft, noisy, happy kids...at least for a day. We were amazed at how very respectful and sensible they were when necessary (that Mersey Ferry journey could have been hairy if they hadn't been so good). We got to talk to the kids throughout the day and learnt some of their stories, all different but all about looking after members of their family. Suffice it to say we three had a great, if tiring day and felt very humble having been so close to such a bunch of little HEROES. We even had a very genuine vote of thanks on the bus given by one of the youngest. Our club paid for that outing (A mere £93) and the club should be aware of how much happiness that gift created. Well done Southport Links.