A CHARITY has launched an urgent fundraising appeal after being left on the brink of collapse due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Lake District Calvert Trust has launched an ‘Emergency Bounce Back Appeal’, which aims to provide a lifeline to a much-loved charity that supports people with disabilities.

It has been supporting people from its specialist Calvert Lakes residential centre and accessible riding centre near Keswick for almost 45 years.

Based on current projections, the Trust say their own contingency funds will run out by March and its survival now hangs in the balance.

Despite furloughing staff, diversifying into new areas such as B&B accommodation, and closing its doors until the New Year, the trust saw a reduction in income of more than £1 million.

Having delivered life changing programmes for thousands of disabled children and adults in the last four and a half decades, it is now fighting for its future, having been hit by a “perfect storm” of Covid-19 related restrictions.

Participants enjoy the benefits of its unique programmes and facilities in a safe and accessible, yet challenging environment.

Calvert Lakes relies heavily on special school educational visits as one of its main sources of income but coronavirus restrictions have wiped out visitor numbers. Facilities such as the Trust’s Riding Centre and hydrotherapy pool are closed for the foreseeable future.

In addition, the new brain injury rehabilitation centre, Calvert Reconnections, has had its opening pushed back to spring, further reducing revenue and adding to the pressures on the charity.

“To survive the winter and bounce back in Spring 2021, we have to act now to seek external support,” explained Giles Mounsey-Heysham, chairman of the trustees.

“Covid-19 has had a deep impact on the Trust and a number of associated factors have conspired to make it a perfect storm. At Calvert Lakes, we have lost over two thirds of our visitors and income.

The Emergency Bounce Back Appeal will include a series of videos where Calvert beneficiaries and volunteers describe the positive and life-enhancing experiences they have enjoyed when visiting the Trust. Go to www.calvertlakes.org.uk.

“At Calvert Lakes, we have lost over two thirds of our visitors and income.

“Having now closed our doors due to the second lockdown, that position will only worsen and our contingency funds will be exhausted by March 2021, despite really careful financial management.

“Our trustees and staff have worked really hard to introduce alternative revenue streams and cut costs wherever possible but it has proved impossible to weather the economic storm on our own. We are now staring down the barrel.”

Continued Giles: “Over the years we have received very generous support from so many funders. We need and appreciate their support now more than ever. Our Emergency Bounce Back Appeal is about the very future of the Trust.

“Once this pandemic is over the ‘Calvert experience’ will be needed more than ever, not only by our current beneficiaries but also the many people affected by Covid-19 and the impact it has had on everyone’s lives, health and wellbeing.

“We have been here for nearly forty-five years and we desperately want to continue supporting people with disabilities to benefit from the incredible accessible adventure the Trust has pioneered. Please help Lake District Calvert Trust Bounce Back.”