A Devon-based accessible activity centre and charity has been saved from closure after reaching its fundraising appeal target.
Last month, Exmoor Calvert Trust, known as Calvert Exmoor, issued a plea to the public saying that it was running out of money in the bank and faced imminent closure unless it raised £500,000 by 31 August.
This weekend, the charity announced that it had met its target via crowdfunding platform Crowdfunder and will continue to operate.
Calvert Exmoor has been providing activity and educational-based holidays for people with physical, learning, behavioural, sensory or multiple complex disabilities for nearly 30 years.
Its accounts show that total income fell by £1.71m to £1.34m between 2021 and 2022 due to “reduced guest volumes and the cash impact of the post-pandemic bookings crystalising in 2022 together with rising costs”.
‘Our operating costs have increased significantly’
In its original fundraising campaign, Calvert Exmoor said its booking income, which allows the charity to operate, has dwindled since Covid-19 and not grown.
“In the last four years, our operating costs have increased significantly whilst income from bookings hasn’t,” it wrote.
“It’s understandable that guest numbers are lower than pre-2020 levels. Our quality of breaks naturally decreased because of Covid-19, the lockdowns, social distancing rules, and our sudden lack of income. Which, understandably, put people off booking.
“Likewise, many of our guests have found it harder to come and visit because money is tight, especially in households with disabilities. Financial support for people with disabilities has been cut or hasn’t kept pace with inflation.”
The charity said its income had failed to match the cost of running the centre and that it was “at a critical point where the funds aren’t available to run the centre and our accessible breaks in their current form”.
Donations ‘buy us time to develop plans’
At the time of writing, Calvert Exmoor has raised over £516,000 and reopened its bookings.
The charity has now introduced a stretch target of £600,000 to cover losses in income due to its inability to take bookings and allow its centre “to thrive, as opposed to just surviving”.
“Ultimately, £500,000 buys us the time to put into effect and further develop plans as part of our diversification strategy so that we aren’t dependent on guest revenue and fundraising alone,” the charity said.
“This will enable us to generate much more income to support our core charitable activity.
“Without these funds, staff redundancies would need to take place, breaks would be cancelled, and the future of the centre would continue to crumble, leaving no choice but to close the doors for good.”
The charity added that the appeal offered it a “way forward to a sustainable future” so that it can continue to support and enhance the lives of the disability community.
Related articles
