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16.
November
2020.
Charity appeals for help to fundraise for local people impacted by the pandemic

 

Press Release

 

 

 

16 November 2020

 

 

Charity appeals for help to fundraise for local people impacted by the pandemic

 

A leading youth charity is appealing to people to make a difference to the lives of local people who need it the most.

The Youth Hostels Association (YHA) has launched a Christmas raffle with all proceeds going towards itsProject90 appeal. The money raised willfund respite breaks for young carers, key workers and families struggling in the wake of the pandemic.

With more than two million households - many with children - now living through two lockdowns without access to a garden and facing increasing financial hardship, the two-day restorative breaks are needed more than ever.

Raffle tickets cost just £1.00 each with all proceeds being used to provide breaks and activities at YHA's network of youth hostels. Just£15 will fund a break for a low-income family, while £40 could pay for a night's stay for an NHS worker and their partner.

First prize in the raffle is £3,000 in addition to a number of runner-up cash prizes and outdoor equipment. Outdoor clothing and equipment retailer Cotswold Outdoors has donated all prizes the charity raffle. 

Lockdown has forced YHA to close the doors of its hostel network, not only impacting its fundraising efforts but also causing a 70 per cent drop in revenue in 2020 making it the worst year ever in the charity's 90-year history.

Charlie Simpson, Associate Director - Charity Development at YHA (England & Wales), said: "2020 has undoubtedly been a challenging year that has impacted many people, YHA included.But by entering the raffle, you'll help us continue to make a big difference in the lives of local people who need it the most."

The raffle closes on 14 December 2020. To help raise the much-needed funds for the Project90 breaks, people can purchase raffle tickets at getinvolved.yha.org.uk/fundraising/raffle.

Ends.

  

Notes to editors

YHA (England & Wales) is a leading youth charity with 90-year history of making travel and adventure accessible to all, especially young people.

Established in 1930, YHA's charitable object remains as relevant in 2020 as it was in 1930 - ‘To help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, and appreciation of the cultural values of towns and cities, particularly by providing youth hostels or other simple accommodation for them in their travels, and thus to promote their health, recreation and education.'

As part of YHA's 90thanniversary celebrations the charity has launched the Project90 fundraising appeal. Details of Project90 can be found atgetinvolved.yha.org.uk/fundraising/appeals/project90/

YHA's charitable purpose is at the forefront of its new 10-year strategy, which will be launched on 30 April 2020. Ahead of the launch, a summary of the YHA strategy-Adventure. For the first time and a lifetime. Our 10 year strategy for connecting people and places. -can be viewed and downloaded atyha.org.uk/about-yha/yha-strategy-2020

Operating more than 150 locations throughout England and Wales, YHA offers a unique range of affordable accommodation including youth hostels, camping and cabins in rural, coastal and city locations.

Many of YHA's sites are in stunning heritage properties: including a medieval castle (YHA St Briavels Castle); an Elizabethan manor house (YHA Wilderhope Manor); a Victorian mock gothic mansion (YHA Castleton at Losehill Hall) and a medieval friary (YHA Beverley Friary).

Through its social enterprise model, revenue from YHA's hostel accommodation is directed towards its social purpose. 

YHA prides itself on providing affordable, contemporary accommodation and a life-enriching, social experience which differs from a hotel stay.

Since 2010 more than £40million has been invested in YHA's existing network of accommodation as well as the acquisition of new hostels. YHA's most recent hostel acquisitions include YHA Newcastle Central (November 2019) and YHA Liverpool Central (November 2019).

Through access to travel, heritage, culture, outdoors and nature, YHA aims to improve outcomes related to health, wellbeing and life chances for young people and families, particularly those with challenging lives.

YHA's partnerships are extensive and involve organisations and charities working at virtually every potential touchpoint in young people's lives from schools and colleges, Movement to Work, The Duke of Edinburgh Award, Family Holiday Association and School Journey Association, amongst many others.

YHA is a leading provider of residential school trips, withmore than 80 Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) accredited sites — more than any other provider. Committed to quality outdoor education, YHA champions the national #BrilliantResidentials campaign.

YHAdelivers measurable impact, nurturing young people's personal and social development through education, upskilling and work readiness schemes.

In 2019 - 2020

  • 1,049,522people stayed with YHA and408,027guests were aged under 26
  • Over150,000young people accessed an affordable residential learning experience through their school or group
  • 4,875 young people and families with challenging livesreceived free or supported breaks
  • 1,040 young people volunteeredwith YHA

In the current coronavirus crisis, YHA is repurposing a number of hostels to support the national fight against the disease. For example, YHA Bath, Manchester, Oxford, Bristol, Brighton and Cardiff have all been licensed to local councils temporarily to support the most vulnerable.

YHA reopened partially to guests in July 2020 with a mix of COVID secure hostels offering rooms, and opportunities to hire hostels exclusively for groups meeting the Government's restrictions. The network has had to close down in England during the current lockdown in November.

12 hostels will be fully open to families and individuals during the winter, and are available to book onwww.yha.org.uk.

These are:Ambleside, Keswick, Boggle Hole, York, Losehill Hall Castleton, Hartington Hall, South Downs, Snowdon Pen Y Pass, Brecon Beacons, Treyarnon, London St Pancras and Cambridge.

Other hostels will be available for Exclusive Hire to groups that meet the Government's restrictions. These can be booked athttps://exclusive-hire.yha.org.uk

 

To see the difference that YHA makes to the lives of young people and their families, visit YHA'sYouTubechannel.

 

Further information about YHA can be found atyha.org.uk

 

Follow YHA onFacebook,Instagram,LinkedIn, andTwitter.

 

 

For press enquiries, please contact:

 

Anna Melton

In the Works PR

07837 108559 / 01246 386480

anna@intheworkspr.co.uk