YMCA Lakeside 2021 Appeal

by Steve Scott in Lakeside, England, United Kingdom

YMCA Lakeside 2021 Appeal
We did it
On 14th December 2020 we successfully raised £14,006 ( + est. £1962.50 Gift Aid ) with 60 supporters in 56 days

At YMCA Lakeside we aim to offer unforgettable experiences on the shore of Windermere. We need your help to improve the centre for everyone.

by Steve Scott in Lakeside, England, United Kingdom

 New stretch target

After hosting over one million young people at YMCA Lakeside, we need to fund improvements including:

  • completing our new climbing wall (£5,000)
  • renovating our disused lodges (£10,000 per lodge) for affordable family accommodation
  • installing solar panels (£25,000) to reduce our carbon footprint

Every pound counts towards us realising our ambitions.


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YMCA Lakeside has been operating on the shores of Windermere for decades, focusing our efforts on youth development and outdoor education. Working together with schools, youth services, and others to empower children and young people on a journey of self-reflection and discovery, using the internationally renowned beauty of the Lake District National Park as a backdrop to immersive outdoor education experiences. With an array of traditional adventurous activities including climbing, canoeing and our famous zip-line over the lake, visitors and groups learn vital social skills and communications techniques, which have been shown to raise the aspirations, attainment, and confidence of children and young people, challenging preconceptions of traditional educational experiences and helping to build stronger more resilient communities.

For more details on the positive impact YMCA Lakeside has, please visit our website and review our 2019 Impact Report. 

IMPACT OF COVID-19

In 2020 and early 2021, with the impact of Covid-19, the centre ground to a halt, and schools and youth groups were unable to visit through government restrictions.

With the easing of the lockdown restrictions it was clear that children, young people and their families needed the outdoors more than ever, and the dedicated team at YMCA Lakeside opened our grounds and campsite to the public - offering affordable activities, accommodation, and camping to all. 

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The benefits of being outside, spending quality time together with family and friends, far outweighed the limitations imposed by the makeshift campsite and services offered at YMCA Lakeside. But it is clear that improvements are needed and we find ourselves in need of your support to make changes that will have a lasting impact on the future of YMCA Lakeside and the generations of families we hope will visit us in the years to come.

OUR FUNDING AIMS

Our primary aim is to improve access to the centre for all.

As a charitable organisation the last thing we want to do is out-price our services to those who most need it, and we believe strongly that the Lake District National Park is for everyone - not just the rich and famous! As such, we have decided not to increase our fees to pay for the improvements needed, but rather to reach out to those that know us best and who know the impact our organisation may have, given the right support.

With your support, we can make much-needed repairs and improvements to our facilities including repairs to activity areas, access roads and paths, updating our well-used interior spaces, the installation of renewable energy schemes, and much, much more. We hope you will agree that any developments here at YMCA Lakeside will help us to welcome even more families and having an even greater impact on the community around us.

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REWARDS INCLUDE: 

YMCA Lakeside Annual Memberships

Access to YMCA Lakeside members-only lakeside campsite, free parking at YMCA Lakeside, membership discounts on activities, accommodation and food and entry to annual events.

Activity & Accommodation Rewards

Vouchers are redeemable throughout 2021, subject to availability. Unused vouchers can be extended by request or donated for future use.

Woodland Soft Toys

A range of cuddly toys is available, representing many of our resident wildlife visitors.

Funders Wall & Room Plaque

Donations over £250 include an option to include your family name on our donor wall in the dining hall.

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Donations above £1,000 are recognised though an optional personalised plaque for individual dorm rooms, including your family name and personal message.

We look forward to welcoming you back to a new and improved centre in 2021 and beyond.

Rewards

This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.

£50 or more

Thirlmere

2 Nights Camping (£50 value, subject to availability) 2 x Adult YMCA Lakeside annual membership (£10 value) 2 x Child YMCA Lakeside membership (£5 value) 1 x YMCA Lakeside cuddly toy, Sheep, Squirrel, Hedgehog, Rabbit or Fox + free postage (£4 value) 1 x YMCA Lakeside water bottle + free postage (£2.50 value) 1 x YMCA Lakeside Patch + free postage (£2.50 value) Honourable mention in funders pack (Priceless)

£15 or more

1 of 1 claimed

Wast Water

2 x Adult YMCA Lakeside annual membership (£10 value) 1 x YMCA Lakeside water bottle + free postage (£2.50 value) 1 x YMCA Lakeside Patch + free postage (£2.50 value) Honourable mention in funders pack (Priceless)

£25 or more

2 of 2 claimed

Ennerdale

2 x Adult YMCA Lakeside annual membership (£10 value) 2 x Child YMCA Lakeside membership (£5 value) 1 x YMCA Lakeside cuddly toy, Sheep, Squirrel, Hedgehog, Rabbit or Fox + free postage (£4 value) 1 x YMCA Lakeside water bottle + free postage (£2.50 value) 1 x YMCA Lakeside Patch + free postage (£2.50 value) Honourable mention in funders pack (Priceless)

£100 or more

2 of 2 claimed

Haweswater

2 x Nights stay in lake view room - twin bedroom, private ensuite (£80 value - subject to availability) 2 x Canoe or Kayak hire (£40 value - subject to availability and weather conditions) 1 x YMCA Lakeside large cuddly toy - Otter (£10 value) Honourable mention in funders list (Priceless)

£500 or more

1 of 1 claimed

Bassenthaite

2 Nights stay in family lodge, for upto 15 people (£600 value - subject to availability) 1 x large cuddly toy - otter (£10 value) Family name printed on funders wall (priceless)

£1,000 or more

3 of 3 claimed

Derwentwater

1 x Activity day for upto 12 people (£420 value) 2 Nights stay in family lodge for upto 15 people (£600 value) Family name printing on donor wall. Family name plaque outside Stoller Campus bedroom. 1 x large cuddly toy - otter (£10 value)

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