Summer of fundraising challenges for Louth disability charity
A series of fundraising events have taken place for a Louth area charity over the last six weeks as it refurbishment project nears completion.
It has been an extraordinary month of fundraising for Manby-based Naomi’s Garden, with supporters taking on challenges ranging from a celebrity football match to mountain climbs and a gruelling 223-mile cycle ride.
Work is also progressing with the refurbishment project happening at Naomi’s Garden.
Sarah-Jayne Walker, CEO of the charity, said: “It has been an incredibly busy and emotional month. Our wonderful army of fundraisers has pushed themselves through some enormous challenges to raise vital funds for the charity. We are so grateful to every person who took part, supported an event or made a donation.”
The month began with a celebrity football match at Louth Town Football Club, organised by Blaze Competitions. Through a raffle held on the day and the generosity of the event’s vendors (Grill Boyz, Bobby’s Brownies and Bakes, JE Inflatables and Bensley’s Homemade Ice Cream) more than £1,200 was raised for Naomi’s Garden. The charity would like to thank Blaze Competitions and everyone who came along to show their support.
The following weekend, Caroline Russell, Martin Russell, Amanda Parsons, Graham Melbourne, Luke Franklin, Bethany Halford and Poppy Slack completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in an impressive 11 hours. The team climbed Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, covering 24 miles and 1,585 metres of ascent. Caroline Russell, who has recently joined the Naomi’s Garden Team as a Parent Liaison, said about the challenge: “We took on the challenge, knowing the amazing work they do to help people overcome their own challenges.
"It was tough going, painful and exhausting. It took us out of our comfort zone physically and mentally! We overcame adversity to raise as much as possible for this much needed service.”
Together, they raised £3,000 for Naomi’s Garden.
Next to take on a challenge were Andrew Jones (of Studio81 Auto Detailing), Jordan Silvester and Rob Margarson (of FM Autoelectrics), who cycled the Caledonia Way.
Starting in Campbeltown and finishing in Inverness, the team covered 223 miles and tackled 13,375 feet of elevation. They completed the route in just three days, despite it usually taking between five and six days, with support from Jemma Jones (The Pooch Parlor) and Molly Jones.
Andrew Jones said: “It was physically and emotionally exhausting, but worth every last mile. Knowing that every penny raised will make such a difference got us over that finish line.”
Their remarkable effort raised a further £2,000 for the charity.
The final major fundraiser of the summer was taken on by Naomi’s Garden’s junior fundraising team.
Bethany Walker, nine, Molly Bottomly, nine, Jonny Coxell, nine, Freddie Coxell, seven, Harry Worrell, 14 and Oliver Smith Haynes, 14, climbed Whernside in six hours.
For many of the young fundraisers, it was their first mountain. They faced rain and strong winds as they approached the summit, but they refused to give up.
Bethany said: “We are climbing mountains for children who are learning to climb theirs.”
The charity would also like to thank Amy Conyard, Hayley and Jonny Coxell, James Walker and Nici Shaw for supporting the young climbers throughout the challenge. Together, the team raised an amazing £2,440.
Across the four fundraising events, supporters raised more than £8,640 for Naomi’s Garden during August.
The money will make a significant difference as work on the new Naomi’s Garden headquarters enters its final stages. Once complete, the centre will provide a permanent base where children and adults with physical disabilities or learning needs can access the charity’s Conductive Education and SEND services.
Sarah-Jayne added: “It has been a six-year journey, but we are now so close to the finish line. It has taken an army to get us to where we are today and we could not be more thankful.
“If anyone would like to support us with a donation or has a practical skill they could offer during these final stages, we would love to hear from them. Every contribution, no matter how large or small, will help us complete a centre that will make a lasting difference to local children, adults and families.”