Two days left to double donations and empower Dales youth

Dales appeal for young people is halfway to reaching its target - can you help us reach £60,000?

Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) is almost half-way to raising an impressive £60,000 to help young people across the Dales and is calling on the public to help them in the final push to the target.

The funds, raised through the Big Give, will support the charity's Green Futures Programme, aimed at breaking down barriers that prevent young people from accessing nature.

People can find out more and donate here: bit.ly/donate-greenfutures.

Fiona Busfield, Green Futures Programme Manager, said: “We are thrilled to see that our Big Give campaign is almost half way to its target. It's wonderful to see how many people care about the future of young people in the Dales and we would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has contributed and to our partners Tarmac who are doubling everybody's donations.

"This means that no matter how small your donation, you will be giving twice the amount for this week only, which is fantastic. The funds will help us build young people's skills and confidence, empower them to take positive action for the environment and help them to get jobs that make a difference.

"Together, we are ensuring that the future of the Dales is secured. It is vital that young people stay in the area so that our conservation efforts continue. This fundraiser will help us to build a future for young people in the Dales and put them on the path to green jobs."

Every donation is doubled thanks to match funding from long-term partner Tarmac.

To date, Tarmac have helped facilitate access to the Dales for over 1,000 young people and adults for health, wellbeing and skills development opportunities, in addition to enabling the planting of 9,000 trees and helping to create and manage woodland in the Dales.

Steven Curtin, Area Operations Manager at Tarmac, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our longstanding partnership with YDMT. During this week of match funding for the charity’s Green Futures Programme, we’re hoping to support more young people than ever before to get out in nature, and gain vital understanding and experience of environmental stewardship.”

Contributions to the campaign will go towards the Green Futures outreach programme, which supports and inspires young people to connect with nature and develop life skills. It will also benefit the Youth Forum, which nurtures these skills and helps them take positive environmental action.

In addition, the campaign will provide funding for a rural apprenticeship, helping a young person in the Dales take their first steps towards a green career.

Donations made via The Big Give website until midday on April 25^th at bit.ly/donate-greenfutures will be doubled while funds last.