My three years at Ruils so far have been an inspiring, challenging and rewarding experience. My role entails daily interaction with clients who are disabled, living with mental health challenges, and the lonely and isolated. What I also see are clients demonstrating great resilience, courage, and a determination to live as an independent and enriched life as possible, but they need support to achieve this.

I turn 60 early next year (I know!!), and I’ve never taken on a big fundraising challenge. I guess I’ve been waiting for one that is personal to me, I know will make a positive difference, and one when I feel when I ask people to donate, it is something that is pushing me to the limit both physically and mentally.

The cost-of-living crisis has left many of our clients struggling, compounding the challenges they already face, and we have long waiting lists for our Counselling and Befriending services.

To add much needed capacity to our Counselling service, a team of 13 members of staff, volunteers and supporters are going to take on the Three Peaks Challenge for the first time on the weekend of May 18th/19th this year. We will be attempting to summit Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon (the 3 highest peaks in the UK) within 24 hours (I know!!). One of those volunteers is my daughter Beatrice, so it is a bit of a family affair. This is our fundraising page. Beatrice’s other role is to hopefully make sure her ‘old man’ gets back in one piece. Actually, just get back!

Counselling at Ruils provides a safe and supportive space for parents of disabled young people, or those who are disabled or have mental health conditions themselves, to discuss their concerns and find ways to cope. Our service is unique locally, as it is free of charge to access. It costs us £257 to deliver a series of 12 Counselling sessions to a client who needs support. We currently have 34 clients on our waiting list and a 5 month’s waiting time.

Anything that you can kindly donate will make a big difference. We appreciate your support.

Gary & Bea x