Charity stakeholders full of Enthusiasm for Derby 10k

The trustees and sponsors of youth charity Enthusiasm are putting their best feet forward in a bid to raise money to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The group of 11 businessmen and women will be tackling the Derby 10k on 10 April 10 to raise funds for the charity, which is based in Cotton Lane.

Enthusiasm, which has recently undergone a change of leadership and rebrand, reaches out to young people providing clubs, workshops, school holiday activities, homework support and one-to-one mentoring programmes.

It supports children who are primarily drawn from Osmaston, Allenton and Alvaston with smaller numbers from Chellaston, Sinfin and Shelton Lock.

They are usually aged between 11 and 18 years old and are often referred to the centre by schools, police and other agencies if they are deemed to be at risk of exclusion, offending or anti-social behaviour, including the influence of negative peer groups and gangs.

Recently appointed chief executive April Allman is taking part in the race, along with Enthusiasm staff and volunteers Haydn Brady, Rachel Hawkins and Heather Russo.

Others taking part are trustees Claire Twells, from Smith Partnership, Carol Dixon, from Derby College and Ryan Duckett, from Derbyshire County Cricket Club, who have all signed up to the race – and has Matt Hill, from Evad, one of the charity’s sponsors.

April said: “I’m not sure many of us could be described as keen runners, but it’s for a great cause and I’m delighted so many people have agreed to take part to support us. Some of our young people have agreed to take part too which is lovely.

“I think once anyone sees the work that the team here at Enthusiasm undertake it’s hard not to get involved. Some of the children we support come from very difficult backgrounds and have complex needs.

“We just need people to sponsor us now and every penny pledged will be spent providing activities for young people, showing them that there is a different path and creating opportunities for them to grow and flourish.”

All the work carried out at Enthusiasm, whether it is dance clubs or cookery classes, is designed to build self-esteem and confidence and raise aspirations individually and in the community.

Mentors work with young people on a one-to-one basis to help them change behaviour and interventions around choices and consequences, health and anger management, conflict resolution and drug and alcohol awareness.

And students from Derby College have been supporting a group of boys from the Traveller community, helping them learn how to read and write.

To sponsor the Enthusiasm Derby 10K runners please click here.