Why are these charities important to me?
Having lost a mother to cancer and a father to suicide, perhaps you can understand why some of these charities are causes very close to my heart and the excellent work they both do in the communities is extraordinary.  Equally, there is a real power I have discovered from adventure, and the Youth Adventure Trust are a sparkling success story in getting vulnerable young people out there who otherwise may not get the chance to develop resilience and life skills.

 

CoppaFeel!

https://coppafeel.org

CoppaFeel! is on a mission to ensure that all breast cancers are diagnosed as early as possible. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and yet a quarter of young people aren’t aware they could be affected. From delivering nearly 400 school talks to sending over one million free text reminders every year, the charity aims to educate, encourage and empower young people to get to know their bodies and check regularly. And it really works. Users of the charity's Self-Checkout web app are 78% more likely to check afterwards and 60% of those who check themselves regularly feel confident in noticing a change. Why not have a look (and feel) yourself?

Samaritans Stratford upon Avon

www.samaritans.org

Samaritans - are there whoever might need them, whenever that may be.  Mental health is so important and we all need to take responsibility for this - in ourselves, our families, our friends, our colleagues and even the stranger on the street.  In addition, their outreach work within the community is vital for the mental health of our youngsters and the wider community.

 

Youth Adventure Trust
www.youthadventuretrust.org.uk

Youth Adventure Trust – works with vulnerable young people from 11-16 to unlock their potential and lead positive lives in the future.  They deliver mentoring to support youngsters in a positive way through their unique Youth Adventure Programme and this is a genuinely life changing opportunity, giving young people the chance to build resilience, develop confidence and learn skills that will last a lifetime.

​