You know that warm feeling you get when someone remembers you at the times that matter like at Christmas and on your birthday? And how good is it when out of the blue, they surprise you with something nice? It means that you matter to them, and they care enough to keep you in mind.

And thats what the #c200 Fund is all about. Throughout the year, we give Birthday and Christmas and Wellbeing vouchers to care experienced young people who cant rely on emotional or financial support from their families.

Vouchers, sure! But we know that this gesture represents so much more for our young people. It raises a smile; puts a spring in the step; and sometimes offers a much needed helping hand.

Most importantly, the vouchers show that there are lots of people who care.

Fast forward to 2021, and were thinking bigger! As well as continuing to recognise Christmas, Birthdays and Wellbeing throughout the year, were launching an all new campaign in January, specifically to combat Blue Monday. Blue Monday (the third Monday of January) is so called due to a combination of post-Christmas blues and cold, dark nights, not to mention the ongoing uncertainty of Covid-19.

So, on a positive note, we want to give our young people something to look forward to as we head into 2021. Our plan is to bring a little sunshine to blue Monday! And we need your support please! If youd like to help us spread a little happiness to our care experienced young people, you can donate here.

Please join us in making a difference!

Our Story

Our story started in December 2018, when some friends who worked together decided to donate their Secret Santa money to buy some vouchers which could be given to young care experienced people for Christmas.

We later learned that for some, this would be the only Christmas present they would receive. We also learned that at any given time in Perth and Kinross, there are around 200 care experienced young people, aged 16-25, moving from the edges of care, towards independent living without any parental or family support.

We decided that something had to be done, and the #c200 Fund was born! Our first goal was to be in a position to give Christmas vouchers to all care experienced young people (aged 16-25 in Perth and Kinross) at Christmas 2019. Happily we achieved this, and set our sights on recognising birthdays too we achieved this in 2020! We were also able to provide a wellbeing voucher at the height of lockdown, and we know that this brought a bit of light relief to a challenging time.

We are lucky to have the ongoing support and encouragement of many people living and working in Perth and Kinross (and beyond!), who donate money either through payroll giving, one off donations, or some really impressive fundraising campaigns! Pre-Covid-19, we were able to supplement this income with other sources of funding, such as bake sales and raffles. However, in 2020, circumstances have meant that this extra fundraising has not been possible, and we need to keep raising money, so we can keep delivering on our times that matter voucher campaigns.

2020 has been very hard for everyone, but many care experienced young people have found this time especially isolating and difficult, as they are unable to rely on the support of their family for a variety of reasons. It has never been more important to look out for our care experienced young people, so please donate what you can to our campaign.

This is what some people say about us.

The benefits of this fund are way beyond financial. The emotional impact on our young people will be immeasurable just knowing that people are thinking about them, and want to support them will raise self-esteem and self-worth, and offer a sense of belonging. These emotional foundations are vital to helping our young people make their way in the world. Social Worker - Services for Children, Families and Young People; Perth & Kinross Council

Having previously worked in residential care, I have seen first-hand at how little these young people get from their families; both emotionally and on a material level. Even the fact of knowing that the #c200 Team are going above and beyond for these young people is amazing. I continue to work with young people who are care experienced, often having nobody but their friends. Getting a little something from #c200 Fund goes a very long way for these young people; I love it! Thank you " Staff member Services for Young People; Perth & Kinross Council

"#c200 Fund is like the lovely Auntie who wants the best for the kids, and thinks hard about how best to help - #c200 Fund is part of the family that is there for our care experienced young people. " Youth Worker Services for Young People; Perth & Kinross Council

"Its a great feeling to be involved with this charity (#c200 Fund), and I just love being able to send out the birthday vouchers every month. But its even better when one of the young people send you a message to say thank you I received my voucher today! " Staff Member Services for Young People; Perth & Kinross Council