Countryside charity makes funding appeal after lockdown hits income

A CHARITY which usually welcomes hundreds of visitors to its farm and ancient woodland in Beaulieu has appealed for help after a dramatic loss of income due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Countryside Education Trust in Palace Lane has launched a fundraising drive to sustain its efforts to connect people with the outdoors and help preserve rare farmyard breeds and wildlife.

CEO Jane Cooper said: “As a small charity these are truly challenging times. At the moment we can’t pay our own way – fundraising events, residential school visits, weddings, outdoor playgroups and rural skills courses are sadly all on hold.

“Even though lockdown measures are easing, we won’t be able to fully reopen for many months. But we do need to carry on caring for our animals and our wonderful wildlife habitats in the meantime.”

The charity is asking people to help it raise £5,000 and has so far received almost £4,000. If the target is reached by its deadline of 28th July, it will receive match-funding from the

Solent Local Enterprise Partnership.

The trust has been “taken aback” by the generosity of donors, a statement on the crowdfunder website said.

It added: “There have been some lovely comments left which have made us feel that we have a lot of people thinking of us and wishing us well during these difficult times.”

Ms Cooper said: “£8 will feed our geese, Archie and Ada and their three goslings, or £15 will support our goats Florence, Milly, Molly and Sweetpea for a week.

“£25 would buy some much-needed loppers to use in the conservation of our woodland and £100 would purchase all the seed that we need for our educational garden for a year.”

Visit www.cet.org.uk/about/donationsandsupport/