19/5/2006 - Photo opportunity - Celebration day for looked after children

Over 70 looked after children and young people will receive awards acknowledging their achievements this Sunday afternoon (21 May).

Every year looked after children and their carers organise an annual celebration day, supported by Cumbria County Council's Children's Rights Service.  The venue this year is the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal.

The event was originally organised for March, but had to be postponed due to heavy snowfall in Kendal on the day. 

As well as the awards ceremony, where each child and young person celebrates their achievements, there will be activities centred around the theme of the day - 'the circus'.  Everyone has been invited to dress up and the afternoon will include a circus skills workshop.

There will also be a poetry competition, where the children will be helped by professional poet Marvin Cheeseman, who has appeared at the Edinburgh Festival and on Channel 4.

Something of a tradition at the event is the ever popular balloon release, which carries details of each person's achievements.  The challenge this year is to see whether any get further than Dresden in Germany, which has been reached in previous years.

County councillor Philip Chappellhow is the cabinet member for Children's Services.  He said: 

"This is a very special day.  Everyone at Cumbria County Council is committed to giving the support and care that the young people we look after need and deserve.

"We are very proud of all their achievements over the last year.  I know many of them were extremely disappointed when the weather meant the event had to be postponed, but I am sure they will enjoy the day now that it is going ahead."