Raising money for adults like my Aunt who has Down's Syndrome

Ian Jarrett is raising money for Canterbury Oast Trust

Participants: Relcaoting abroad to take up a new job

“Relcaoting abroad to take up a new job”

on 1 May 2015

Donations cannot currently be made to this page
We support adults with learning disabilities and autism to live confident, independent lives through our accommodation services, skills training, personal development and inspiring work experiences. Our largest training project is the Rare Breeds Centre our farm visitor attraction.

Story

The Canterbury Oast Trust (COT) is a dynamic and forward-thinking charitable trust set up in the mid-1980s by a pioneering group of parents including my Grandpa. The charity looks after a number of adults with learning disabilities across Kent and East Sussex including my Auntie Karen who has Down's Syndrome.

The trust provides a number of homes and a family environment with the focus on helping adults have fulfilling and independent lives. There are a number of enterprises including tearooms, a nature reserve and wood-working group, and a rare breeds farm (www.rarebreeds.org.uk/ ) where the residents can learn all sorts of skills to boost their confidence and to change people's perceptions of people with disability.

My Aunt is now 49 years old and is retired but she had worked as a waitress and worked in the horticulture department at the farm. The trust also gave her the chance to play snooker, go horse riding and enjoy days out and parties. She still uses the Rainbow Gallery (http://www.c-o-t.org.uk/our-services/our-enterprises/rainbow-gallery) to make craft items such as cushions and paintings. I see her on a regular basis in her bungalow overlooking Romney Marsh.

Your donation, however small, is really appreciated. I'm aiming to raise enough to allow someone in the trust to enjoy a day out, perhaps to the cinema or to the seaside. Many thanks for your support, it really means a lot to me and my family!

Donation summary

Total
£80.00
+ £20.00 Gift Aid
Online
£80.00
Offline
£0.00

Charities pay a small fee for our service. Learn more about fees