It's our 62nd year of operation and we need your help now so we can continue to offer places for young people, from all backgrounds, to attend courses, participate in outdoor activities and learn new skills, all in a fantastic countryside setting. UK Youth has an outstanding piece of our heritage in Avon Tyrrell and a long history of developing and promoting innovative and exciting learning opportunities for young people. In order to maintain and develop Avon Tyrrell for the benefit of future generations, please help support us in our work. Please click on the 'donate now' button if you can help Avon Tyrrell. Please do also contact our Projects Director if you would like to become a volunteer or make a donation, or would like to join the 'Friends of Avon Tyrrell'. Send any cheques (made payable to 'Avon Tyrrell UK Youth') to the Projects Director, Avon Tyrrell UK Youth, Bransgore, Hampshire BH23 8EE. If you want to help our charity on a more frequent basis, you can make regular donations by setting up a Direct Debit, contact the Projects Director for our bank details. We can also claim the tax back on your donations (28p for every £1) if you are a UK taxpayer via the Gift Aid scheme, which obviously benefits us even more - please click here to print off a GIFT AID form to sign and send in with your donation. A few of us are planning to do a long charity motorbike ride around the coast of the Britain later in 2008 to raise funds for the projects below, details to be posted soon and see www.justgiving.com/ukyouthcoastride

CURRENT FUNDRAISING PROJECTS:

BURSARY FUND - We have a fund to offer free or subsidised places for young people who, for a variety of reasons, wouldn’t normally be able to afford to attend the Centre. We are looking for one-off and regular donors to help build up the fund so we can offer more places to young people’s groups. Donor information leaflets are available now and application information is available now on our downloads page.

LOG CABINS - Since 2005 we have been clearing out our old mobile homes and building modern 6 & 10/12 berth, fully accessible, Scandinavian log cabins for visiting groups to stay in at Avon Tyrrell on a self-catering basis. We have built 5 so far and need to build 1 more at a cost of £75,000.

LEARNING CENTRE - We desperately need to replace our old chalet meeting room building with a purpose-built centre for groups to use for seminars, meetings, indoor sports, music practice, teaching, conferences etc. The local community would make use of it too. We have planning permission granted for such a building and are looking for support to raise the £400,000 needed.



HISTORIC GROUNDS RESTORATION – In 2002 we managed to restore most of the ‘Arts & Crafts’ grade 1 listed Avon Tyrrell House but now it is the turn of the surrounding listed historic landscape. There’s probably £750,000 worth of work made up of a series of projects including; restoring the Victorian ‘Pulhamite’ main lake overflow feature, the reed-bed reconstruction, repairing and re-dressing the main drive, western and sunken gardens screen planting and bed restoration, repairing the main terrace erosion and bay tree replacements, rhododendron removal, and, finally, employing a full-time and seasonal/trainee gardener to help maintain it all. Initially we are looking for support to commission a landscape architectual practice to produce a site conservation management plan, which will then detail and lead onto the major work.



ACTIVITIES & GENERAL EQUIPMENT – With thousands of people using the site the wear and tear on the fixtures, fittings and equipment can be high. In order to maintain standards and improve access for all our visitors, every year we need to replace or upgrade sports and activity equipment like canoes, buoyancy aids, helmets, harnesses, bows, nets and ropes. In the buildings we need to replace and upgrade items such beds, chairs, furniture, soft furnishings, electrical goods, bathroom fittings, office and kitchen equipment. Our small maintenance team keeps on top of this but they too need help with getting paints, materials, tools and equipment to do their job. In an average year, the repairs, replacements and upgrades can cost £100,000.

HERE'S SOME RECENT FEEDBACK FROM VISITORS:

“We had a fantastic three days at Avon Tyrrell. The raft-building exercise was the most wonderful experience for me to witness in over ten years of dealing with special needs students. Thank you!”
Teacher, Southlands School, Lymington

“We were very impressed by the high standard of instruction provided. All your staff who led the various activities interacted very well with the team, listened to and responded to their needs and concerns, whilst also stretching and challenging them.”
Youth Team Leader, Princes Trust Group, Merton

“Thank you so much for making this weekend so much fun, we’ve really enjoyed ourselves!”
The children from Piam Brown Ward, Southampton General Hospital

“Many thanks for a fantastic week at Avon Tyrrell. The young people thoroughly enjoyed themselves, it was great to see how independent and confident they had become by the end of the week. As usual the food and facilities were excellent and the staff so helpful and friendly. We’re already looking forward to next years visit!”
Beecholme School, Mitcham