Having climbed a few mountains to raise money for charities, I’m about to take on a something slightly different and kayak across the English Channel with one of my besties Duncan Marsh in late August 2018.

The cost will be fully funded by us with all money raised going to an amazing organisation, The Treloar Trust. It is a registered charity that runs a School, College and Nursery for some of the most severely disabled young people in the UK. For the 170 young people aged between 2 and 25 who attend Treloar’s, it is a remarkable and life-changing place.

Treloar’s aim is to prepare these young people for adult life,
giving them the confidence and skills to achieve their full potential. They
take a holistic approach which sees the teachers, transition staff,
physiotherapists, occupational health, medical staff, dieticians, visual
impairment advisers, counsellors, technicians and engineers working as one to
support every individual and ensure that they achieve all that they can.

Between them their students have over 40 different disabilities,
most commonly, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy and Spina Bifida. These are often combined with sensory impairments and learning difficulties.

98% of the students are wheelchair users, and a third have little or no communicable speech. Some have progressive and life-limiting conditions; some of the disorders will result in gradual physical and intellectual deterioration. Others require major surgery to maintain life or mobility and this may need to be repeated many times.

Despite the challenges faced by students, Treloar’s remains a
place of hope and accomplishment – focusing on students’ abilities rather than
their disabilities. Many Treloar students have a life of achievement through
music, art, sport and academic success going on to college and university.

Students are encouraged to become as independent as possible and to lead fulfilling lives, which is achieved by setting the bar high for each individual but never out of reach

Treloar’s receive funding from local authorities which contributes to the young person’s educational, care and residential provision. However, they must also fundraise for activities and opportunities for their students together with specialist equipment and transport, campus and building upgrades, learning opportunities and experiences that will all have a positive impact on their lives and enable them to achieve all they can in life.They need to fundraise nearly £2M every year to do this.

Any contribution you’re able to make for this
amazing facility I know will be gratefully received and will support in making
these young lives a little better.