Dear Devon Connect Community,
Calvert Exmoor is facing an immediate and critical financial crisis. Without raising £500,000 by August 31st 2024, we will have no choice but to close our doors forever.
For almost 30 years, our centre has been a vital source of transformative outdoor adventures for individuals with disabilities. We've offered life-changing experiences through accessible activities like horse riding, zip-lining, climbing and canoeing, among others. Our mission has always been to foster independence and build confidence, and we've proudly provided these opportunities to so many incredible people.
The situation we face
The current economic climate has presented us with severe challenges meaning we are now at crisis point.
- Decline in Tourism: The South West tourism sector has been hit especially hard this year by weather issues and increased competition from overseas travel.
- Inflationary Pressures: The costs of running our centre have risen sharply due to inflation. Essentials like food, fuel, maintenance, and wages have all become more expensive, putting a strain on our finances.
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How your donations will help
To overcome these challenges and secure our future, we have launched a Crowdfunder campaign with a target of £500,000. This desperately needed money will be used to:
- Keep Our Doors Open: We need cash now to enable us to stay operational over the winter months. We have a fantastic number of bookings for 2025 already, but without this money now, the centre will close and our excited guests will miss out on their opportunity to flourish through their upcoming breaks.
- Keep our Horses Safe: With 14 horses in our care, one of our top priorities is ensuring that these cherished animals can stay on site and remain cared for by our dedicated and passionate equestrian team of staff, volunteers and community members. If Calvert Exmoor closes, our horses will be considered assets and no longer remain in our care, making their future uncertain.
- Explore New Opportunities: We want to invest in new bunkhouse accommodation which will enable us to tap into new markets and create an immediate sustainable future.
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In the past 18 months, Calvert Exmoor has made remarkable strides, thanks to the incredible support of our dedicated community of staff, volunteers and donors. We’ve successfully launched a new website, introduced exciting new activities like rafting and outdoor crate-stacking, and upgraded our facilities with cutting-edge accessibility equipment and a new community sensory room.
We are delivering ambitious plans to diversify our offer and secure a sustainable future, however, we have unfortunately run out of time to reap the rewards from investments leaving us in a critical position. We now face an urgent need for emergency funding to carry us through the winter season and enable us to keep our doors open to those who rely on us.
This is a community effort. Calvert Exmoor enables people from all over the UK and in the local North Devon community to access invaluable experiences. We have always believed that it's what you CAN do that counts! We need this campaign to reach our goal and secure the future of the centre, so that our valued guests can remain a part of the Calvert Exmoor family. Every share, every connection, every piece of advice helps.
Please join us in this mission. Together, we can ensure that Calvert Exmoor continues to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for those who need it most.
To support our campaign, please donate now or get in touch ASAP.
Thank you for your support.
The Calvert Exmoor Team