Story

We would like to ask for your wonderful help with our Family Christmas Appeal.  For many families, caring for a child with disabilities can be exhausting, restrictive and can impact on siblings and other family members.  At Calvert Trust Kielder, we provide a safe environment where everyone can take part in adventurous outdoor activities together.  Our fully accessible self-catering lodges allow the privacy and space a family needs. Matthew is a 5-year-old, has been disabled from birth and lives with his parents and younger sister, Abbie.  Being wheelchair bound means that days out and holidays require extra planning for his family as they need to carry extra equipment and consider such things as access and disabled facilities. “We try not to let it deter us from going out as a family but two adults are needed for a trip out and it will affect where we go and what activities we can take part in.  This does impact on our other child who is able-bodied but not always able to do things her friends might.” Diana Smith, Matthews Mum At Calvert Trust Kielder we understand the importance of being together as a family, and our experienced and fully qualified staff make sure that being disabled doesn’t mean missing out.  Matthew and his family thoroughly enjoyed sailing across Kielder Water, something they may otherwise not have had the opportunity to do. “Being the parents of a disabled child is not something you’re trained to do.  You’re not blessed with any extra knowledge about how to source equipment and services, so sometimes it can be extremely frustrating and time consuming.  Going on a trip or holiday requires a lot more planning, but at Calvert Trust Kielder we were able to see there were activities our son could take part in like any other child, and specialist equipment was available to help us.  The accommodation was easily accessible and spacious so we didn’t have to worry about so many of the things that usually restrict us.  It took the stress away and made it a proper holiday!” Diana Smith, Matthews’ Mum For 27 years families like Matthew’s have benefitted from a stay at Calvert Trust Kielder. £35,000 will ensure another 50 families have the same opportunities as Matthew’s family.  Your support will help us to raise these vital funds and enable us to continue providing crucial and often life changing experiences. Calvert Trust Kielder makes a difference and so can you. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this Appeal.  Please be assured that any contribution you are able to make will be warmly received. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. So please dig deep and donate to our Appeal now. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at Calvert Trust Kielder.