Peter Ashley Activity Centres launch fundraising appeal to secure charity's future
and live on Freeview channel 276
Peter Ashley Activity Centres, is a registered charity enabling a wide range of sports and activities, is based from Fort Widley and Fort Purbrook.
Due to government guidance and the close nature of activities offered, March 20 was a sad day for the charity as both forts immediately closed the gates to members of the public.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThis saw all horse riding, activity and residential bookings suspended with immediate effect.
‘What would normally be the beginning of a very busy summer period for both centres, seeing around 750 people a week, instead (sees) both forts stand empty,’ said the charity said in a statement.
‘No one can predict when we will reopen the gates, but when we do, we will be approaching our winter season – meaning the recovery for the charity will be more challenging.
‘As a registered charity we rely heavily on our income from the horseriding, the outdoor activities and residentials we provide and so we are asking for your help at this challenging time.’
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdVolunteers from Solent Riding for the Disabled Association, which began offering sessions from Peter Ashley Activity Centres’ Fort Widley earlier this year, wanted to help keep the horses fed and looked after while the centre is closed.
After conversations about how this situation has affected the charity, the association donated more than £850 to keep it going while they cannot offer sessions there.
The sessions have been a success and many new faces have been welcomed to the centre, not only the staff but volunteers and clients.
Shirley Harris, chairman, said: ‘We are all hoping to be able to provide our very worthwhile sessions again, but in the meantime, the 31 horses and ponies still have to be fed and looked after and there is no income to provide for this.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad‘Our wonderful volunteers soon went into action to help out with these costs, and in the hope that all will be well at Fort Widley by the time we can get back to riding.’
Visit crowdfunder.co.uk/paact for more information about the opportunity to pre-book package experiences or donate funds.
A message from the Editor
Thank you for reading this story on portsmouth.co.uk. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.
With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.
Subscribe to portsmouth.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit our Subscription page now to sign up.
Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.
Comment Guidelines
National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.