Friends Owen and Brad stage 24-hour on-line fundraiser for Scarborough YMCA - how to take part

Twenty-one-year-old Owen and 19-year-old Brad met at the YMCA in St Thomas Street, Scarborough, 10 years ago and have been friends ever since.

They both learned the intricacies of technical theatre and went on to support hundreds of productions as volunteers.

Like many other organisations - Scarborough's YM - which offers a cafe, meeting place and sports and theatre classes - has had to close its doors due to the coronavirus crisis and its way of making money dried up.

Twenty-one-year-old Owen, a North Yorkshire Police Officer based in Scarborough, said “The YMCA has played a huge part in my life so far and has helped me in so many ways. It is heart-breaking to see it closed, and I want to do my bit to help it come through this crisis.”

“Most of the staff are furloughed and those who are still working are so busy trying to keep things going. There are various online activities each week, and I’ve been hosting an online quiz most weeks for the YMCA, just to help give members, their families and anyone else who want to, another light-hearted and fun way of keeping in touch.

"The idea of doing a 24-hour online fundraiser really appealed to me, and I’m looking forward to it.”

The marathon effort gets under way on Saturday May 30 at at 7pm finishing at the same time on Sunday.

Kicking off with the week’s live quiz which has become a real highlight for regular participants, there will then be the opportunity to play games and take part in challenges throughout the night. Start your Sunday with a breakfast show at 6am until 9am. The rest of the day will be filled with Interviews, chat, games, TikToks, live music and more.

Executive director of the YMCA Scarborough said: “This is such a difficult time for everyone and I know that many are missing the opportunity to meet with friends at the YMCA.

Staff and volunteers have been wonderful, and I would especially like to thank everyone who has helped over the past months by contributing to our online activities. The 24-hour fundraiser is a brilliant idea and I know that Owen will make it great fun.”

Owen said: “I’ve never done anything like this before but I’ve got a brilliant team around me and I hope to give people something different to do, while raising a lot of money for the YMCA to help repay what they have done for me and so many others”.

The YMCA has been part of the Scarborough community for 175 years.

It is is known and respected for its year-round calendar of activities, events, support and opportunities.

As well as those provided by the small team of staff, supported by 60 dedicated volunteers, other groups use the YMCA to deliver their activities, meaning that as well as social action projects for young people, fencing, Ju Jitsu, musical theatre, dance classes, accessible sports, friendship groups, roller skating, youth club and technical theatre, volunteering and a programme of 50 theatre productions hosted in the YMCA’s 290-seat, fully-equipped theatre, can all be enjoyed in one place.

To take part in the event, go to twitch.tv/ymcascarboroughTo find out more about YMCA Scarborough’s other online activities, check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/ScarboroughYMCA