Teesdale Opportunities for Youngsters with Disabilities bids fond farewell to volunteer Ken

ON Thursday, February 16, members, parents and volunteers held a celebration for Ken Sanderson, on what was his last day of volunteering for Teesdale Opportunities for Youngsters with Disabilities (TODYS). Ken has been an outstanding volunteer for 15 years.
He has volunteered on every one of the ten residential activity breaks TODYS has taken at Calvert Trust Centres in Kielder and in Keswick. The first of these took place in 2008 when youngsters and a team of volunteers, a total of 34, spent three days at the centre in Kielder. 
Once Ken had gained his Midas certificate, he drove TCR’s minibus for TODYS all over, from Whitley Bay for lovely summer days visiting the Sea Life Centre to regular family outings to Beamish.
Every year Ken has liaised with The Clique, and TODYS has received generous donations which have funded the family Christmas pantomime trips. Such is his influence that Ken has even arranged for Santa to attend the Christmas parties.
TODYS’ Gateway Youth Club, known as The Hub Club because it is held at The Hub, Barnard Castle, was set up in July 2015. Ken has volunteered regularly, organising and delivering sports sessions and also supporting youngsters in a range of activities, all with enthusiasm and skill. 
A surprise party organised for Ken was action-packed, beginning with a “Flash Dance” performed by Adam, Dan, Gareth, George, Jess, Laura, Liam, Rebecca, Thomas, Steven and TODYS’ younger volunteers Rebecca, Sarah and Natasha, and led by dance instructor Laura. TODYS’ resident DJ, Glen, provided a disco and everyone enjoyed pizzas and celebration cake.
Youngsters, parents, grandparents and volunteers then gathered to review Ken’s years with TODYS with a presentation that included photographs from his 15 years of volunteering.
Ken received a book containing a selection of the photographs, and gifts from the youngsters which included vouchers to enjoy well-deserved meals out at local eateries, while his wife Ann was presented with a bouquet of flowers.
TODYS, set up in 2000, is a registered charity affiliated to MENCAP. Donations from local organisations and individuals enable TODYS to continue to provide a valuable service and the group relies on volunteers to support the youngsters. Enquiries from prospective volunteers are welcomed – email todys-secretary@hotmail.co.uk.