In October West Berkshire Mencap and Home-Start West Berkshire participated in Greenham Trust’s Escalator and Mini-Escalator challenges. Each charity was challenged to raise an increasing amount of money over five consecutive days, and the level of matched funding rose each day as the charities reached their fundraising targets.
First up was Home-Start West Berkshire who were competing in the Mini-Escalator to raise funds for a Family Coordinator to recruit, train and supervise 20 volunteers to assist 60 low-income families who are struggling due to the cost of living crisis. They planned a range of activities throughout the week – starting with a coffee morning on the Monday, school non-uniform day on the Tuesday, a quiz night on the Wednesday, cream tea delivery service on Thursday and for the Friday, one of their Trustees, Claire Carless was scheduled to do a skydive. Due to unsuitable weather conditions Claire’s skydive was postponed, however her sponsors still donated on the Friday and she raised a huge £4005! Following a week-end of nervous anticipation, Claire completed her skydive on the following Monday.
Home-Start smashed their fundraising target of £6,600 by raising £9,310 from fundraising activities and donations. In total Home-Start raised a fantastic £35,106 over the 5 days with £9,310 in donations, £796 in gift aid and £25,000 of matched funding from Greenham Trust.
On exceeding their fundraising targets, Grace Green, Director of Home-Start West Berkshire said: “It was heart-warming to see just how the Home-Start West Berkshire community came together to reach each daily target. The amount we raised surpassed all expectations and will help families navigating the challenging Cost-of-Living Crisis. Thank you to all the staff, trustees and volunteers who made the Escalator such a resounding success. We are incredibly grateful to Greenham Trust for this vital funding which will make a tangible difference in the lives of those who needed it most.”
It was then West Berkshire Mencap’s turn who were raising funds locally for a fully accessible Shepherds Hut to be situated on the Mencap site at Enborne Gate, Newbury. This will offer much needed respite care for children and a much-needed night off to their Families and Carers.
Money was raised through a variety of fundraising activities including a spooky Halloween Trail over four days at Rookwood House Stockcross known for its beautiful gardens.
The Your Choice Services team, Mencap’s in-house care agency, dressed in Halloween costumes, did a Bake Sale at their Residential flats in central Newbury with a variety of sweet and savoury bakes on offer throughout the day, while the Adult Services Team hosted a Table Top Sale and Open Day at their site on the Hambridge Road Industrial Estate.
The grand opening of the new Mulberry Garden was timed as part of the Escalator Fundraising activities. The Gardens were decorated in a Halloween theme as was the Hall where The Children’s Services team added to the total with their money-spinning tombola. They drew the Grand Hamper Raffle at this event which included wonderful prizes generously donated by local people and businesses.
The Mulberry garden Autumn Wreath making workshop earlier in the week also contributed to the funds.
West Berkshire Mencap Trustee and Greenham Trust Award winner, Gill Leech raised over £3,500 alongside her Husband Graeme and their Dog Frankie by walking 87+ miles along The Ridgeway on their Trustee Challenge. Following the walk Gill said: “I love volunteering locally and helping to make things happen. I am humbled to be awarded The Greenham Trust Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year Award”.
Thanks to additional donations West Berkshire Mencap exceeded their target of £13,200 and to date, have raised a staggering £65,955 from £15,955 in fundraising and donations and £50,000 of matched funding from Greenham Trust. They still have a balance of £28,845 to raise to reach their total requirement of £94,800.
Suzie Empson, Fundraising & Events Manager of West Berkshire Mencap said: “We were thrilled to be given the opportunity to take part in the Greenham Trust Escalator challenge and were overjoyed, relieved and exhausted to have exceeded the target. To raise this phenomenal amount of money would normally take me a year of nonstop events so the opportunity to be able to get on with building the Shepherds Hut and market the service following the Escalator Challenge is amazing for the Team.”
Rob Daniels, Head of Grants, Greenham Trust said: “When Greenham Trust put together The Escalator Challenge, we had a rough idea of the types of projects which would apply, but Mencap’s Respite Caravan and Home-Start’s Family cost of living co-ordinator totally bowled us over. We are so proud to have helped the teams get their projects off the ground. We wanted the Escalator to supercharge a project, engage the community and do something amazing, and these have ticked all the boxes. It will make such a difference. Huge congratulations and very well done to all involved.”
Both applicants are still fundraising to complete their projects. If you would like to donate to either of these projects use the links below:
Home-Start West Berkshire: https://app.thegoodexchange.com/project/20154
West Berkshire Mencap: https://app.thegoodexchange.com/project/20161
Information on Greenham Trust’s grant giving and fundraising challenges is available on our website: greenhamtrust.com
