Supporters give £80,000 boost

Despite continuing cash pressures on British households, A Rocha UK supporters have managed to raise around £80,000 for the charity’s ongoing work – as well as backing a special project.

They have given generously in two recent campaigns. They donated £60,000 through The Big Appeal for core funding – in a combination of one-off gifts and increased or new standing orders. They gave a further £20,000 through The Big Give and accompanying magazine appeal for new nature reserve Foxearth.

The Big Appeal saw 30 staff, trustees and volunteers engaging with supporters via phone and email. The Big Give is a matched funding scheme.

‘It’s been humbling to be on the receiving end of such affirmation,’ CEO Mairi Johnstone said of The Big Appeal. ‘I want to thank our supporters for responding so positively. It shows how well they understand the cost of running a national charity.

‘I also want to thank the A Rocha UK team – paid, volunteer and trustees – who committed time to phoning and emailing people, updating our database information as they went along and reporting back so well.’

Times are tough for small charities like A Rocha UK, particularly as grant income becomes harder to come by. ‘This financial boost will help us fulfill an exciting role in the conservation and environmental education spheres,’ said Mairi, ‘giving a Christian perspective on pressing issues.’

This year promises to be significant for Foxearth programme, she pointed out. ‘We’ll be able to start species surveys and habitat mapping. That’s not possible without funding. We really do want to thank our supporters for catching the vision!’

A Rocha UK plan to manage Foxearth for dragonfly and damselfly conservation and wetland management. The 12-acre site on the borders of north Essex and Suffolk will also provide opportunities for school visits, community education, retreat and reflection.

Conservation Director Andy Lester thanked those who decided to give for the Foxearth appeal. ‘The funds raised will go directly to the recruitment of a part-time site manager,’ he explained. ‘That person will be responsible for day-to-day activity at Foxearth and will also produce a site management plan, together with a “friends” scheme.’

Head of Fundraising Lisa Ostenson said of The Big Give, ‘It’s a good campaign to raise profile’.