Honeypot Children’s Charity and Minstead Trust celebrate record-breaking fundraising appeals worth more than combined £1m

TWO New Forest charities received early Christmas presents with successful funding drives netting well over £1m between them.

The Honeypot Children’s Charity based near Exbury ran its £1m matched giving appeal at the end of November and raised over £1.1m in just 72 hours.

The sum included over £330,000 of online donations and £789,000 offline. It will help pay for the support and respite breaks it offers to young carers aged five to 12.

Matched funding came from the Solent Group, the Porter Family Foundation and the Spoilt Ramblers.

Community engagement manager Viv Carter said: “The overall total is phenomenal. I am particularly overwhelmed by the generosity of our local supporters – individuals, businesses, community groups and Walhampton School – who raised over £100,000.

“With this amazing result, Honeypot will double the number of disadvantaged young carers we can support with our life changing services from 2,000 to 4,000 per year.

"We will also be able to proceed with essential building work at our respite houses, including enclosing the swimming pool at Honeypot House to give the children the opportunity to enjoy swimming indoors throughout the year. A huge thank you to everyone who has helped make this possible.”

The Minstead Trust, which supports people with learning disabilities and autism, is also celebrating after its most successful fundraiser inspired donations totalling £47,000.

Trust chief executive Adam Dodd said: “This record Big Give total is a ray of light for the people we support. We are very grateful to everyone who supported the campaign.”

The trust was set up in 1986 and currently helps more than 200 people achieve greater independence, as well as providing training and work experience.

The recent Big Give campaign saw public donations match-funded into a “life-changing” amount, the charity said.

The money will be spent reestablishing drop-in community groups to offer support for people with learning disabilities as well as help to people wanting to attend social activities.

The charity also plans to offer courses for service users to rebuild the skills they need to feel comfortable around others.