Bendrigg Trust is taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge and is looking to raise £40,000 in just seven days – so it will realise a £80,000 target thanks to match funding.
For over 40 years Bendrigg has helped thousands of disabled people at its specialist outdoor centre in Kendal to safely access and enjoy outdoor adventures.
Donations to Bendrigg Trust will be matched by The Big Give during the week-long campaign, meaning the money can support twice as many disabled people.
Louise Phillips, fundraising co-ordinator for the Bendrigg Trust, said: “To have a significant cash injection into our subsidy fund will make a lasting difference to those who come to Bendrigg, their experiences stay with them long after they have left us, so although our visitors may stay a few days or even up to a week with us, the actual impact can last a lifetime.
“Without donations and fundraisers we would not exist, anything that is donated during this special campaign is automatically doubled, it really is a magically time to donate to us.
‘’Opening doors is what we do. To an outdoors full of exciting and empowering adventures. To new abilities and attitudes. To personal potential waiting to be fulfilled. We open those doors for absolutely everyone. We give people inclusive adventures of a lifetime. At Bendrigg we are exclusively inclusive.
“Through these experiences, our visitors consistently report increased levels of wellbeing, confidence and independence – often resulting in a domino effect of positive change when they return home. Carers, parents, teachers and siblings are also included helping to challenge perceptions and increase the confidence of everyone involved.
“This year we’re looking to raise a total of £80,000. In order to access the £40,000 we have in the matching pot, we need to raise £40,000 in online donations.
“We hope everyone will give generously this year to help us reach our target and enable us to carry on the work we all feel so passionately about and know it make a huge difference to many.”
The ongoing cost-of-living crisis is continuing to had a real adverse effect in wellbeing, increased anxiety and worsening mental health, the trust said.
Disabled people in particular are being disproportionately affected with over a quarter of households where someone is disabled in serious financial difficulty.
The funds raised during this year’s Big Give Christmas Challenge will help to subsidise the costs of Bendrigg’s services for all visitors, keeping these costs as low as possible and giving everyone the opportunity to believe and achieve, it said.
To donate, visit https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a056900002RXsChAAL
The campaign will close at noon on Tuesday, December 5.
