SAVE CALVERT EXMOOR

by EXMOOR CALVERT TRUST in Barnstaple, Devon, United Kingdom

Total raised £519,726

raised so far

+ est. £40157.50 Gift Aid

2260

supporters

Thanks to everyones amazing support we have now raised enough money to keep the centre going

Project by EXMOOR CALVERT TRUST

We're still collecting donations

On the 14th September 2024 we'd raised £519,341 with 2258 supporters in 37 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.

 New stretch target

Your support in enabling us to reach £500K has been phenomenal! During this challenging financial period we have been unable to take bookings and therefore are introducing a stretch target of £600,000 to cover these losses in income and allow our centre to thrive, as oppose to just surviving! Thank you!


We are overjoyed and deeply grateful. After three weeks of tireless campaigning and unwavering support from thousands of incredible people like you, we have made it!

With your help, we’ve raised more than £500,000. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Against all the odds, we’ve succeeded in saving Calvert Exmoor, and it’s all thanks to your generosity and belief in our centre.

Every donation, every share, every interaction with our social media posts, has made a difference. Whether you are one of our many individual supporters, a business, or a Trust or Foundation, your contribution has been vital. We are incredibly grateful to every single person who has helped make this campaign a success.

As we outlined below, we are moving forward with bold plans to diversify our income streams and secure a sustainable financial future. We are fully committed to making the necessary changes to strengthen our charity for the long term. With these new strategies, we are confident that we can continue to provide the exceptional experiences that so many of you know and love at Calvert Exmoor.

The success of this campaign also means that bookings are now OPEN!

Getting back to providing life-enhancing breaks and activities has been the driving force behind our efforts, and we’re thrilled to be able to continue welcoming you to our centre. Whether you’re a returning guest or visiting for the first time, we would love to hear from you.

Continuing to use our facilities is the best way you can help support us and ensure our future. Please phone 01598 763221 between 9am and 6pm every day to enquire.

We have decided to leave the fundraiser open for now. As a charity, continuous donations are what enables us to thrive. For those who wish to continue supporting us with additional donations, you can do so on the Crowdfunder or donate directly through our website. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us keep delivering life-changing experiences.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey. We couldn’t have done it without you!

YOU Saved Calvert Exmoor

We faced an immediate and critical financial crisis. Without raising £500,000 by August 31st 2024, our doors would have closed forever.

For almost 30 years, our centre has been a vital source of transformative outdoor adventures for individuals and families with disabilities.

We've offered life-changing experiences through accessible activities like horse riding, zip-lining, climbing and canoeing. Our mission has always been to foster independence and build confidence, and we've proudly provided these opportunities to so many incredible people.

Rewards

With the rewards, you can be a part of our community, you can help the centre survive, and you CAN have your name on treasured pieces of Calvert Exmoor. Because we’re all in this together and you can share the successes. 

Calvert Exmoor plays a massive role in opening up accessible adventures for people with disabilities. Now it’s time for you to play a significant role in saving the centre on their behalf and have your name on display, recognising your contribution and showcasing your support.

The Situation We Face

The current economic climate has presented us with severe challenges meaning we are now at a 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.

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:

  • £200,000 - Keep Our Doors Open & Keep Our Horses Safe: 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. 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.
  • £150,000 - Enhance Our Centre & Business Model: to provide us with the confidence and funds to invest into re-structuring how we operate; to continue and develop our fundraising team;  to develop new markets and activities to enhance the range of activities and guest experience; to instal solar panels on the equestrian centre roof to substantially reduce our energy costs and to establish partnering arrangements with other organisations to maximise the use of or excellent facilities and site. Most importantly it buys us the time to put into effect and further develop these plans as part of our diversification strategy so that we are not dependent on guest revenue and fundraising alone. This will enable us to generate much more income to support our core charitable activity.
  • £150,000 - Explore New Opportunities: to invest in 5 pods to provide low-cost bunkhouse accommodation to be on-site and operational by February 2025 for use by mainstream schools for educational activity trips and other able-bodied groups to generate  a substantial new income stream

Please note that these individual amounts are estimated. They are also not independent of each other and need to be handled as a total sum of £500,000 to help now and in the future. 

Ultimately, £500,000 buys us the time to put into effect and further develop plans as part of our diversification strategy so that we are not dependent on guest revenue and fundraising alone. This will enable us to generate much more income to support our core charitable activity. Without reaching the total amount, 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.

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. 

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!

Every share, every connection, every donation, 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 even further, please donate or get in touch. 

Thank you for your continued support.

The Calvert Exmoor Team

[email protected]

Rewards

This project offered rewards

£10,000 or more

Courtyard

Every guest at Calvert Exmoor has had the pleasure of experiencing the serene beauty of our courtyard. Centrally located amidst our bedrooms, it is beautifully maintained throughout the year. Your name or brand will exclusively feature on a plaque in the stunning central courtyard at Calvert Exmoor.

£250 or more

Hoists

With 26 hoists onsite at Calvert Exmoor, we rely on every single one to ensure our guests experience no barriers when accessing the accommodation, amenities and activities. Your name will be displayed on one of our game-changing hoists for all its users to see.

£750 or more

Bedroom (Upstairs)

Your name or brand will be proudly displayed on the door of one of our cosy upper-level accessible bedrooms.

£750 or more

Fields

With three large fields in use as grazing pastures for our 14 beautiful horses, your name will be displayed on the gates leading into these fields.

£1,000 or more

Bedroom (Courtyard)

Your name or brand will be featured on the door of one of our beautiful ground floor accessible bedrooms, which open directly onto a stunning courtyard.

£1,000 or more

Tack Room

Your name will be showcased in our tack room, home to riding hats, reins saddles and a social space for staff, guests and volunteers.

£1,000 or more

Canoe

With six canoes, all currently without names, you will be able to choose a name and have it displayed on the front of the boat for guests and the general public using the reservoir paths to see.

£1,500 or more

Stable Door

Your name will be displayed on the door of one of our stables. With a designated stable for each of our life-changing horses, your name will be seen by all our Equestrian Centre visitors.

£2,500 or more

Apartment

Your name or brand will be showcased on the door of one of our accessible self-catering apartments.

£2,500 or more

Zipwire

The Zipwire at Calvert Exmoor provides an exhilarating rush as guests soar through the air, taking in breathtaking views of our stunning surroundings. This high-flying adventure isn’t just about the thrill; it’s an opportunity for many to overcome fears and limiting beliefs; experiencing the joy of defying gravity. With your name at the top of the Zipwire, guests from across the country will see your dedication to our centre.

£5,000 or more

Archery Range

Help us reach our target (sorry not sorry) by featuring your or your brand’s name on our Archery Range’s shelter building.

£5,000 or more

Premium Horse Sponsorship

Become a premium horse sponsor and have your name or brand associated with a specific horse, which will be honoured through a name plaque displayed on the horse’s stable, recognising your dedication and support.

£5,000 or more

Outdoor Crate Stack

Your name will be featured on our brand new Crate Stack area, where guests will see your name amongst the breath-taking views of the reservoir and Exmoor’s rolling hills as they scale to new heights.

£15,000 or more

The Barn

Add a personal touch to The Barn at Calvert Exmoor, by having your name displayed on a plaque in this beautiful Grade II listed building. Every guest who gathers here for activities, downtime over a drink in the bar and evening entertainment will see your contribution.

£25,000 or more

Sports Hall

Our sports hall boasts three guest favourites: indoor crate stacking, the climbing wall, and the King Swing. It's also perfect for team-building and icebreaker games. Guests often recall the hall as a place where they achieved the extraordinary. Your name will be honoured on a plaque outside the door, inspiring all who enter.

£25,000 or more

Discovery Centre

A beautifully renovated barn space used by Calvert Exmoor and external organisations through venue hire, you will be able to rename this space.

£40,000 or more

Indoor Arena

Opened by Olympic Equestrian, Mary King, in 1997, our indoor riding arena is used daily by both residential guests and our local community. You will be able to rename this spectacular space for thousands of guests a year to see.

£50 or more

Calvert Exmoor Giftbag

For £50, you can take home a piece of Calvert Exmoor magic, with a giftbag of branded goodies.

£200 or more

Bikes

A favoured activity among guests and instructors, biking takes place around Wistlandpound Reservoir. Your name will be featured on one of ten accessible bikes, visible to users and members of the public. too.

£200 or more

Name A Raft

A brand new activity to Calvert Exmoor this year has been rafting, which is already a favourite among many of our guests. With two rafts on the water, your name will be displayed for all our guests to see.

£200 or more

King Swing

A real guest favourite, our famous King Swing can be named in your honour!

£200 or more

Exclusive Horse Interaction Day

As a thank you for your generous £200 donation, we will invite you and a friend to our centre for an exclusive equestrian experience. Meet our wonderful horses, try your hand at grooming and feeding, and observe riding sessions from the viewing gallery. You’ll also chat with a stables team member for behind-the-scenes insights, take a guided tour of the Equestrian Centre, including the kit room, and see our carriage up close.

£300 or more

Inner Courtyard Flowerbed

Have your name displayed proudly in one of our inner central mini flowerbeds.

£500 or more

Flowerbeds

With four beautiful flowerbeds in our central courtyard, lovingly maintained by our dedicated volunteers, you could ‘back a bed’ by choosing this option.

£500 or more

Sensory Raised Flowerbed

Situated in our beautifully maintained courtyard, we have a raised sensory flowerbed which can be adorned with your name.

£1,000 or more

Kit Room

As the hub for our rope-based activities, housing accessible harnesses, helmets, hoists and abseil wheelchairs, this facility is in constant use by guests and instructors alike. By renaming this essential space, your name will be seen daily by everyone who steps through the door.

£1,000 or more

Sensory Room

Having had some exciting recent renovations, your or your brand’s name could be displayed to support the reopening of this new amenity, which will not only be available to our onsite guests but also to the local community.

£2,000 or more

Bushcraft Area

Our Bushcraft Area offers an immersive outdoor adventure where guests can connect with nature and develop essential survival skills. Here, participants learn to build shelters, create fire, and navigate the natural world, all while engaging in hands-on, practical activities. Reignite this unique space by featuring your or your brand's name in the Bushcraft area at Calvert Exmoor.

£2,000 or more

Swimming Pool

Your name or brand will be proudly displayed in our Swimming Pool, where both residential guests and local community members benefit from its therapeutic properties on a daily basis.

£2,000 or more

Carriage

Generously funded and then purchased in the spring of this year, we still need a name for our ‘Funbug’ carriage, used by those who wish to ride but may not be able to sit on a horse for various reasons. Your name will be displayed on the carriage for all our guests to see.

£5,000 or more

Dining Hall

Our dining hall at Calvert Exmoor serves three delicious meals and snacks daily, energising guests for activities and providing a space for connection. It’s where families and friends gather, share stories, and bond, making it central to the memorable experiences of every visit. Your name will be proudly featured in this vibrant hub of activity.

£5,000 or more

Viewing Gallery

A favoured spot for horse-enthusiasts, our viewing gallery not only overlooks our Sports Hall through large windows but is also situated within the magnificent indoor riding arena. Your or your brand’s name will be visible to both residential guests and the local community.

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