13 year old launches legacy campaign to support Lake District Calvert Trust
Melanie May | 17 August 2021 | News
A 13 year old boy who received a brain injury two days after birth that left him with sight loss, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, and learning difficulties, has launched his second campaign for the Lake District Calvert Trust – this time to highlight the importance of legacies.
Covid-19 lockdowns forced Calvert Lakes, which provides outdoor activities for people with profound and complex disabilities, to close its doors, resulting in lost income of £1million. Oliver Voysey launched his first campaign to help, completing a range of against-the-odds challenges as part of his “Oliver’s Calvert Army” challenge, eventually raising over £250,000 for the charity. This also saw Oliver receive the Prime Minister’s Points of Light award.
With legacies playing a key role in keeping Lake District Calvert Trust open following the pandemic, Oliver’s latest campaign seeks to raise awareness of their importance.
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Oliver’s mother Sarah (both pictured), a former charity fundraiser, explained:
“The pandemic has resulted in a devastating loss of income for charities such as Calvert Lakes, with fundraising activities severely restricted.
“For Calvert, every legacy, large or small, makes a massive difference and translates in to joyous, life-changing experiences for thousands of disabled children and adults.
“Oliver’s legacy has been to create his Army and what we want to do next is to encourage people to remember the Calvert Trust in their wills. That way, we can help other families create memories thanks to other legacies. We want more people to benefit from this incredibly special place. Calvert have given Oliver experiences we didn’t think were possible.”
Demonstrating the impact of legacies on the charity, a recent £100,000 legacy to the Lake District Calvert Trust paid for essential refurbishments to the centre in advance of its reopening in June.
Other legacies play a vital role in maintaining Calvert’s unique facilities and specially adapted equipment such as its wheelchair-accessible high ropes course – the first of its kind in the UK, fully accessible multi-sensory hydrotherapy pool, zip wire, sailing dinghies and accessible bikes. There’s also a riding stables with indoor and outdoor areas, viewing gallery, lifts and electronic hoists.
Fundraising Manager at the Lake District Calvert Trust, Jennifer Scott commented:
“Legacies, small or large, make a lasting difference. For Calvert Lakes, they are a hugely important part of our fundraising drive, providing funding for essential developments and enabling us to continue our service in the long term.
“As a charity, we are reliant on the generosity of those who believe in our aims. We welcome support which enables those with the most complex and profound disabilities to experience the joy and life-enhancing benefits of the Calvert experience.”
About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.