Young people in charity pier walk for national service

Fundraising for brain injury charity Headway, the group of 10 people, mostly 16-17 years old, took part in the walk on Tuesday, August 9 and hosted a fun day the day after as part of their National Citizen Service (NCS).

Starting at Littlehampton pier, team ‘Cheeky Turtles’ walked along to Worthing pier and back, completing the task in six hours.

“It was a challenge for all of us”, said team member Sebastian Beitht, 16.

“Our whole citizen service has led up to this point.”

The fun day on Wednesday, August 10 took place at the Flintstone Centre in East Street, organised entirely by the team.

As part of NCS, members pick a good cause to support and spend two weeks working on ways to raise money and awareness. The group chose West Sussex charity Headway, which provides support for people with brain injury.

Mr Beitht said: “This charity was personal for all of us.

“We all had someone who may have had that problem and had a passionate feeling for this charity.”

The group raised about £300 between the walk and fun day, the fruits of their four weeks doing NCS.

A spokesperson for Headway said:

“Headway West Sussex is thrilled that Team Cheeky Turtles has chosen to support us, as part of their NCS activities.

“Every penny the team raise will help us reach more families and have a positive impact on their lives.”

Now their NCS is over, some of the group are considering going on to do International Citizen Service (ICS) to help those in need overseas.

Mr Beitht said: “The next step is an option – that option is to go into the bigger world.”

NCS is now in its fourth year, with young people from nearly 3,000 schools and colleges participating nationally and is the fastest growing youth movement since the Scouts. The scheme is aimed at 16-17 year olds, as well as people with learning difficulties up to the age of 25. Groups go on residential trips for team building before spending their last two weeks putting together a project to help the community.