NEWSLETTER  •  Spring  2023

Welcome

Welcome to our 2023 Spring newsletter. We are full of excitement and anticipation for the year to come. Winter has been a time of preparation for our 2023 respite break programme, with lots of work going on behind the scenes.  Our first groups have already visited Ardvullin and have been having a brilliant time! In this newsletter you'll hear more about that from our Activity Leader Anna, as well as our regular fundraising news, and opportunities to get involved yourself.

Anna's News

It's been a busy winter at Ardvullin, with lots of jobs to complete before we began our 2023 respite break programme last week.

Last year we were very lucky to get funding for six new bikes, and one of my priorities this winter was to develop the bike storage to allow us to fit our growing bike fleet in the shed. With the help of a local joiner, we have created a storage system that allows all the bikes to be easily stored, used and maintained.

Another focus of my time this winter was to develop some new team challenge activities. Having sourced the different items I need for these, I'm looking forward to introducing the "drainpipe" and "toxic waste" challenges, as well as the "lava" challenge in which the children travel across a lava field to safety with only some crates and their teammates for support! As well as being fun, these challenges have lots of benefits for the children, including improving teamwork, problem solving, and communication skills. Thank you to everyone who kindly donated the various items I needed to create these team challenges.

Whilst it has been a busy time at Ardvullin, it always feels so quiet without the groups around. I have been looking forward to hearing the children playing in the house and garden again, and taking them out on amazing adventures!

One of our new activities for 2023 will be visits to Darach Croft, which is making me even more excited for this year's programme! At the croft children will be able to feed, pet and walk pigmy goats, herd sheep, and groom Mr Murphy, their beautiful horse. On my visit I particularly loved meeting the very cute goats, and I know the groups will love them too. 

Bring on HopScotch 2023!

Fundraising News

We're always so grateful for everyone who supports us by fundraising through the year. So in this newsletter it's particularly special to highlight our own Activity Leader, Anna, who has challenged herself to run 10k - the furthest she will ever have run! She is running her 10k as part of the Edinburgh Marathon Festival in May, captaining a team of her siblings. Not only that but she's using this opportunity to fundraise for HopScotch, and if you are able to support her by making a donation of any amount we know she will appreciate the encouragement! Click here to donate.

We are delighted to have been selected by Cash for Kids to receive £4,992! That will pay for two activities for 156 children and young people from the Edinburgh, Lothian & Fife areas attending a HopScotch break this year.

The R S Macdonald Charitable Trust has generously awarded us £12,600 through their Tackling Child Abuse and Neglect theme.  This donation will enable 36 children to experience a HopScotch break in 2023.

Finally we'd like to say a huge thank you to The Northwood Charitable Trust, who have kindly donated £10,000 which will enable 28 children to experience a HopScotch break this year.

Every donation of every size helps us to continue our work of providing memorable and transformational respite breaks for vulnerable children in Scotland. We'd love if you'd consider doing a fundraising activity such as a bake sale or sponsored event for us, or perhaps you know someone who is really keen to do a charity run this year. If you'd like to chat to us about your ideas, just get in touch using our contact information at the bottom of the newsletter.

And Finally...

The respite break programme began with visits from children at Inverlochy, Kinlochleven and Caol Primary Schools. You can catch up on all their adventures as well as the rest of our respite break season by following us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter .