A MEMBER of staff at a Melksham-based care company will trek to Mount Everest Base Camp next year to raise money for charity.
Autonomy Care Group’s Marketing Coordinator, Jen Latham, will be taking on the challenge in April 2022 in support of Stepping Stones District Specialist Centre, a charity based in Trowbridge that supports pre-school children aged 0 to 5 years who have special needs.
Money raised will go towards the pre-school’s ‘Garden Project’, which aims to update and upgrade their garden area that is now over 10 years old. Stepping Stones want to be able to improve the existing garden by making it a safe and stimulating outdoor play area for the children to access all year round.
With a successful 89% of Autonomy’s £4,000 target already raised, they are hoping to go above and beyond their target before their fundraiser closing date of 31st May 2022.
Stepping Stones’ manager, Debbie, said, “Stepping Stones are delighted to receive support from Jen Latham at Autonomy Care Group who, through her Everest Challenge, will be raising funds to help us complete our much-needed garden project.
“The garden area needs to provide our children with a safe but stimulating outside environment to help develop essential physical, sensory, communication and learning skills.
“Over the years, due to constant use, our garden area and resources have become tired and now worn beyond repair. We have plans to create a fully inclusive space with resources suitably exciting for pre-school children with additional needs.”
Jen added, “Autonomy Care Group and I have chosen to contribute the ‘Get Set Go blocks’ which will be customised by a company for the garden space, for children of all ages and abilities to enjoy.
“The blocks are safe and versatile for climbing and adventures, but will also have balancing blocks for added safe fun – and we are thrilled to raise funds to help contribute towards this feature in their new garden!
“The last year and a half has proven to be challenging for many, with plenty of tough times during the pandemic, particularly for small local charities.
“We are hoping to bring the local community together to support this fantastic project! Any donations, great or small, would be wonderful! We’d like to assure you that 100% of your donations will be going to Stepping Stones and we would like to thank people in advance for all their support and donations so far.”
To support Jen and donate to Stepping Stones, visit https://localgiving.org/fundraising/everestbasecamp/