Visit Ashwood Nurseries today - for sat navs use postcode DY6 0AE

Charity of the Year 2016 is announced

Posted on Saturday 2nd January 2016
High Flyers2

Helen

We are pleased to announce that we have chosen High Flyers as Ashwood’s Charity of the Year 2016. High Flyers is based at Pegasus House, Wombourne, Staffordshire and  is a day group supporting young adults with learning difficulties. High Flyers currently has 45 members attending and includes young adults with Autism, Down’s Syndrome and William’s Syndrome, many with additional medical and mental health needs.

Sheila Baker, founder of High Flyers and mother of one of its members, told us: ‘In the past, when such adults left school or college, they would be guaranteed a place at a day centre. Now, the day centres are closed and these youngsters face isolation, loss of mental stimulation and increased dependency. I started High Flyers as a response to this need.’

What is the aim of High Flyers?

The aim at High Flyers is to give young adults with learning difficulties as many opportunities as possible to achieve their full potential. In spite of their difficulties their members are a fun-loving group who, when supported, can achieve great things. Some general funding is provided by parental contribution but High Flyers is dependent on charitable donations for special activities and specialist services.

High Flyers6

Sam

A dedicated team of 12 staff and 12 volunteers provide a great variety of activities including gardening, cookery, horse-riding, drama, dance, singing, art and craft, bushcraft, sport, swimming and bowling. There are numerous outings to visitor destinations such as Butlin’s,  Sealife Centre, Think Tank, Hoo Farm, Walsall Art Gallery and the Black Country Museum.

Specialist services allow the youngsters to develop skills in reading, writing, maths and IT.

Social inclusion in the local community is especially encouraged and they go on litter picks and help in local schools and charity shops. They have participated in the Best Kept Village scheme and Wombourne Carnival while their choir has performed at local events.

 How do we plan to help High Flyers ?

High Flyers needs to raise a deposit for a mortgage by November 2017, when their existing rental agreement and licence runs out, and this will enable them to purchase either the current premises in Wombourne or a new building.

Our fund-raising at Ashwood will therefore be directed to High Flyer’s Building Fund and we hope to raise a minimum of £15,000 (and hopefully more) to help secure the future of High Flyers and ensure that young adults with learning difficulties have a permanent base in the local community.

High Flyers is a registered charity (Number 1150518). Visit their website www.highflyers-southstaffs.co.uk or see them on YouTube 

Sara

Sara

How will Ashwood Nurseries raise money?

Our main fundraising comes from John’s Garden Open Days and Hellebore Tours (the entire proceeds from entrance charges are donated).

We also are fortunate to receive a number of individual private donations from our wonderful customers and friends. A big thank you to anyone who supports our charity in any way, no matter how small.

Other charities:

We also continue to support The National Gardens Scheme: www.ngs.org.uk

Past Charity Fund-raising:

2015: Macmillan Cancer Support: £21,940
2015: National Gardens Scheme: £2,135
2014: Stroke Support West Midlands: £15,400
2014: National Gardens Scheme: £1,870.00
2013: Cancer Support at The White House, Dudley, West Midlands: £23,764.73
2013: National Gardens Scheme: £350
2012: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association: £19,600
2012: National Gardens Scheme: £1372.50
2011: Alzheimers Society: £26,030.60
2011: National Gardens Scheme: £1940
2010: Mary Stevens Hospice and Compton Hospice: £23,942
2010: National Gardens Scheme: £2,224
2009: Action Heart: £26,341
2008: Renal Unit Fund at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton: £26,000
2007: County Air Ambulance: £20,648