An urgent appeal has been launched to ensure one of Bolton's services continues to provide a 'lifeline'.
Daytrippers Bolton, an organisation which provides fun and inclusive days out for children with disabilities, needs the help of the people of Bolton to continue to run as it receives less funding each year.
The organisation has been creating unforgettable days out for families with children who have disabilities for over 20 years.
Their team of volunteers organise and subsidise activities and provide free transport, ensuring families can enjoy inclusive, fun-filled experiences without financial strain.
But after receiving less funding in recent years, the organisation has had to reduce some of its offering.
Daytrippers vision is to continue offering vital services and prevent it from folding due to funding challenges.
And they are now appealing for support, with the money raised set to cover operational costs, maintain transport services and subsidise the activities, ensuring that they can keep bringing joy and respite to families.
Carole Brennan, Chairperson of Daytrippers said: “Pre-Covid we always used to get a grant off Bolton Council for £12,000 a year and we had been in receipt of that for quite some time.
“So, in effect we have lost £10,000 and because of that we are now having to reduce what we offer.
“We used to do two trips and activities a week during the school holidays and because of the increase in prices hiring the coaches and everything else, we have had to reduce it to one outing and activity.
“We would just love to go back to offering the two outings and activities because it is nice to do during the holidays – we try to make it as affordable as possible.
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“Children with disabilities are so isolated anyway and we just want to make sure we are there for them and offer them the things we used to do.
“We give parents and families that lifeline that they sometimes need during the holidays.
“We need vital funds, and we did have our birthday event at the weekend which raised £1,700 which will be a great help.
“We are all volunteers, we don’t have any paid staff and we are all parents and carers of children with learning disabilities.
“Any funds we do receive goes back to the families which we support and the activities.”
One family said: “I joined Daytrippers when my boys were very young. We moved to Bolton, and we have no family here. Meeting other families has provided us with support and friends."
Another family said: "Being part of Daytrippers has helped me a lot. I have gained invaluable skills to help my children, just by connecting with other families who have gone through the process of having young children with autism."
According to Bolton Council, Bolton’s Fund was introduced in 2019, the main funder is Bolton Council and Bolton CVS manage the programme as the VCSE infrastructure organisation for the borough.
Grants of varying sizes are made against six key outcomes of “start well”, “live well”, “age well”, “prosperous”, “clean and green”, and “strong, safe and distinctive”.
Funding was previously issued in themed “rounds”, but since summer 2023 Bolton’s Fund has operated on a rolling programme across the year.
Bidding is an open and transparent process with all decisions taken by an independent panel.
Bolton CVS can also support charities and volunteer groups with their applications, as well as offering a broader range of guidance and support to the sector.
If you would like to donate to the organisation and ensure they stay open, go to: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/urgent-appeal-daytrippers
To find out more about the organisation, go to: https://www.daytrippersbolton.org.uk/
If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.
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