Fundraising campaign hits £100,000 milestone to support people with learning disabilities

14 July 2022                                                                        

Minstead Trust have raised over £100,000 to facilitate crucial work, training and wellbeing opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

This is the first major milestone in Minstead Trust’s quest to raise £500,000 for its Special Years Appeal to benefit people with learning disabilities supported in its beautiful New Forest haven, Furzey Gardens, and beyond.

The charity are taking on a celebratory tone for the appeal, as 2022 marks 100 years since Furzey Gardens was first planted. To commemorate its centenary, Minstead Trust is inviting the public to provide donations to their appeal to further their support for people with learning disabilities and to facilitate crucial running and improvement costs of the gardens.

The gardens were first planted by the Dalrymple family as an informal woodland garden in 1922. They contain botanically and historically significant plant collections from around the world with a wide range of trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials, such as Acers, Rhododendrons and Primulas. Today, the peaceful gardens are thriving because of the work and effort put in by Minstead Trust’s supporters, including people with learning disabilities who the charity support, making Furzey an important place for so many people.

Dawn Wood, Director of Development for the Trust, said: ‘The Special Years Appeal is such an important and exciting fundraising effort for Minstead Trust. We want to mark 100 years of Furzey Gardens by continuing to give back to the people who benefit from it. Not only does it provide great work and training opportunities for people with learning disabilities but it’s a beautiful place of escape for so many people. We want to ensure its future is secured for those who need it and love it’.

In order to celebrate 100 years of Furzey Gardens and provide crucial opportunities for people with learning disabilities, the Trust are offering many different ways to show your support:

You can be one of 100 oak tree sponsors, all of which will be planted this year as a more permanent reminder of a special person or event. You can also make your mark in the virtual world, by contributing a memory to the Trust’s online memory wall; whether it’s a specific memory about the gardens or a key moment in your life, your memory will live on forever.

You can bid on quality experiences and items in the Trust’s online auction, including luxury hotel stays, pottery classes and beautiful local art.

And in the spirit of good old fashioned fun, the charity are also hosting a Special Years Raffle, boasting a cash prize of up to £1,000 and exciting monthly draws.

To find out more about the Special Years Appeal and show your support, visit www.minsteadtrust.org.uk/special-years