Rise North East has been awarded a £75,000 grant to help improve the health and wellbeing of young people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless across Newcastle and Gateshead.

The grant has been awarded to the charity by The London Marathon Charitable Trust, to establish the Young People Forward project, working alongside ten local organsations who support young people through uncertain and difficult times, using the power of sport and physical activity.

Ruth Nicholson, Empowering People Strategic Lead at Rise, said: “We are so pleased to be part of this project that will use sport and physical activity as a catalyst to support young people to face the challenges in their life. We’d love to hear from any organisations in the Newcastle and Gateshead areas who work with homeless young people or those at risk of becoming homeless, to see if we can support them in any way.

“Enabling people to enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle to boost their health and happiness, is at the core of everything we do here at Rise, particularly during these difficult times and for those who need it most.”

The London Marathon Charitable Trust was donated £600,000 The grant was made possible by a donation of £600,000 from Virgin Money, the title sponsor of the London Marathon, and is being distributed to seven delivery partners in the North of England and Scotland which will provide physical activity sessions in ten areas from Glasgow down to Greater Manchester.

Sir Rodney Walker, Chairman of The London Marathon Charitable Trust, said: “The Trust is committed to supporting projects that challenge the inequality of access to physical activity so that everyone has the opportunity to be active, supporting their health and wellbeing. It is with great thanks to Virgin Money for their generous donation that we have been able to work together to support this important initiative – the timing of which could not be more significant.

“The pandemic has exposed and exacerbated the inequalities faced by many vulnerable people, and the Young People Forward project will use the power of physical activity to improve the lives of many young people facing homelessness.”

Helen Page, Group Brand and Marketing Director for Virgin Money, said: “It’s heart-breaking that homelessness continues to be so widespread in our society. There has never been a more important time to break down the barriers which prevent the most vulnerable young people in our society from accessing sport and physical activity as a way to improve their lives. The link between physical and emotional wellbeing is fundamental and Virgin Money is honoured to support this initiative, which will help improve the lives of young people at a time when they need it most.”

If your organisation works with young homeless people or those at risk, and would like to find out more information on working with Rise to offer support, contact Ruth Nicholson by clicking here.