23 April 2020

Minstead Trust has joined a national fundraising challenge to bring its supporters together to support people with learning disabilities.

Minstead Trust is inviting its supporters to join the fun and take on a 2.6 challenge to raise sponsorship funds that will help the charity to continue to care through the coronavirus crisis.

The 2.6 Challenge has been set up by a coalition of national charities to encourage people to raise money in place of the cancelled London Marathon, due to take place on 26 April. People can support a charity by taking on a sponsored 2.6 or 26 challenge, anything from running 2.6 miles to holding an online workout with 26 of your friends.

The Trust is taking part to help it continue to support over 200 people with learning disabilities to live more independent and fulfilled lives. Some of these people are also taking on their own challenges, from 26 yoga poses to a 26 minute disco, which are being shared on the Trust’s Facebook page. They have already raised over £1,000 on their fundraising page.

Anybody willing to take on a challenge can register at www.twopointsixchallenge.co.uk to fundraise for or donate to Minstead Trust.

This fundraising is crucial to the Trust as the coronavirus outbreak has made its support work increasingly difficult and put its finances under enormous strain.

Minstead Trust’s social enterprises Furzey Gardens, Hanger Farm Arts Centre in Totton and Minstead Lodge conference and event venue, all of which were providing training and employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities, have all had to close their doors.

The charity has changed the way it continues to support people with learning disabilities during the lockdown – those people that Minstead Trust support in residential care and in their own homes are now supported in their house groups to avoid the potential of infection moving between houses.

For those individuals who would normally attend day opportunities, or community groups, the Trust has put in place telephone and individual support as required and has also started online activities to ensure that people can stay connected and active during the lockdown.

The crisis has proved to be an enormous challenge for the wellbeing of people with learning disabilities and other additional needs, as many find it difficult to get used to even the smallest changes to routine, while others suffer from severe anxiety, even when all is right with the world.

Madeleine Durie, Minstead Trust Chief Executive, said:  ‘The 2.6 challenge is the next stage in our fundraising push after the success of our emergency appeal, which raised more than £50,000 thanks to our generous community of support.

‘We can’t wait to see the challenges people choose, whether they be energetic sporting feats, impressive crafts or acts of kindness. It will be wonderful to see our community come together as a collective to help our amazing support workers to keep caring through this crisis. Good luck everyone!’

If you would like to take on a 2.6 challenge for Minstead Trust or sponsor some of the people with learning disabilities that they support visit www.twopointsixchallenge.co.uk and search for Minstead Trust.

 

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