Why young Sunderland carers have thousands of reasons to thank marvellous Max Terris

Young carers have thousands of reasons to thank marvellous Max Terris for his support during 2020.
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For his appeal to honour them for their own efforts during the coronavirus pandemic has now topped the £3,000 mark after initially aiming to raising hundreds of pounds.

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He soon decided to donate the money towards young carers supported by Sunderland Carers Centre, in Thompson Road, where his mother works.

Max Terris, left, celebrates reaching the £3,000 mark in his Sunderland Carers Centre fundraising appeal with chief executive Amanda Brown and patron Paul Mackings.Max Terris, left, celebrates reaching the £3,000 mark in his Sunderland Carers Centre fundraising appeal with chief executive Amanda Brown and patron Paul Mackings.
Max Terris, left, celebrates reaching the £3,000 mark in his Sunderland Carers Centre fundraising appeal with chief executive Amanda Brown and patron Paul Mackings.

His family have never missed a day’s walk since and have already clocked up more than 1,000 miles.

The money will be used by the centre – which supports 830 young carers from the age of five upwards across the city – to fund a thank you party when social distancing restrictions ease.

Chief executive Amanda Brown said: "He is so inspirational and the the fact that it was his own idea says so much about him as a person. He has done absolutely amazing.”

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Max, who attends Springboard Futures, which provides further education and supported training to people with a recognised autistic spectrum disorder, learning difficulties or disabilities, is no stranger to the centre.

Marvellous Max Terris has raised more than £3,000 in aid of Sunderland Carers Centre. Picture by Frank Reid.Marvellous Max Terris has raised more than £3,000 in aid of Sunderland Carers Centre. Picture by Frank Reid.
Marvellous Max Terris has raised more than £3,000 in aid of Sunderland Carers Centre. Picture by Frank Reid.

Since mum Julie joined the team in July 2017, he has helped out at summer fetes, charity coffee mornings and afternoon teas.

The pair are joined by dad Cliff and Casper, the family’s 11-year-old cocker spaniel, as they walk up to four miles day around the Herrington area.

Proud Julie said: “We are still going out whatever the weather and sometimes we are out twice a day.”

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Max added: “They are lovely people and I just wanted to help.”

Proud mum Julie Terris.Proud mum Julie Terris.
Proud mum Julie Terris.

Donations have included £1,000 from Paul Mackings, a patron at the centre, who added: “What he has done is fantastic and so selfless in thinking of the sacrifices that the young carers are making for their families.”

Max’s efforts have also earned him the honour of becoming Northumbria Police’s first Community Hero for Wearside.

PC Louise Turnbull, who works in the north of the city, said: “There wasn’t a dry eye when I presented him with his certificate. He should be very proud of himself”.

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Further information about Sunderland Carers Centre, which helps 10,630 people of all ages, is available at www.sunderlandcarers.co.uk/donate.

PC Louise Noble presents Max Terris with his certificate.PC Louise Noble presents Max Terris with his certificate.
PC Louise Noble presents Max Terris with his certificate.
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Sunderland man walks 500 miles and more for young city carers

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