Photo Credit Jasper Naylor of BF Adventure
BF Adventure’s recent Charity Ball fundraiser has raised around £11,000 which will support their vital work with some of Cornwall’s most vulnerable children and young people. The proceeds will contribute towards the charity’s Big Build Project which will replace their end of life main facilities – old Porta Cabins – with efficient and purpose built facilities designed to equip young people to build skills, positive self-belief, confidence and relationships.
Taking place at The Falmouth Hotel on 27th March, almost 150 guests gathered for a three course meal, entertainment by Jon Martin Magic, an auction of promises that money can’t buy and a disco with DJ Dave Dowling from The Rock Show on Cornwall’s Rewind Radio.
Auction prize donors
BF Adventure was extremely grateful to receive donations of prizes and experiences that ‘money can’t buy’ from a range of organisations and individuals, including: Jon Martin Magic; Bodmin and Wenford Railway; The Falmouth Hotel; RNAS Culdrose; The Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association; Laurence Osborne – Cornish photos; Claudia Corbridge – Cornish Painting; Harbour Lights Fish and Chips, Falmouth; Goonvean Aggregates; Via Ferrata Cornwall (BF Adventure’s Social Enterprise); Perran Moon MP and the Houses of Parliament; HM Coastguard Search & Rescue Helicopter Base; Tregothnan Gardens; Westcountry Clays; Dales Family Butchers; The Ship Inn at Mawgan-in-Meneage; Cornish Lithium; Brooke Fraser and the Bella Wellness studio Helston; Felix St. Aubyn with St Michael’s Mount Castle; The Wearne family and Personalised Printing Helston for a Print of HMS Anson disaster; Stephen Polglase, donor of a GreatWork Mine Tour; Cornwall Association of Tourist Attractions.
Corporate and individual supporters
BF Adventure was also grateful to receive support from Classic Cottages, Murrells Law, Stephens Scown, Charles French Solicitors, Captain James Hall of RNAS Culdrose, Tony Hogg (BF Adventure’s former CEO), Auctioneer Jason Phillips, Lyn Stephens and Sarah Corbridge.
“Team Sekoya were invited along to the BF charity ball at the Falmouth Hotel. What a fabulous event! It was emotional listening to the CEO talk about the amazing work of the charity and the plan for the “Big Build” to come over more than a couple glasses of wine and a tummy full of good food. Well done team BF! We can’t wait for the next one.” – Donna Morcom, Managing Director – Sekoya Limited.
How the funds will help BF Adventure
Proceeds raised will provide a vital contribution towards replacing BF Adventure’s old buildings, which are expensive to maintain and operate. This will mitigate against the risk of needing to close areas of the site and operations, reducing activity and turning away young people in need.
New facilities will include a sensory room, IT training, music room, space for arts and crafts, accessible provision and breakout rooms with counselling space.
The charity’s impact
The demand for BF Adventure’s services is very high. The children and young people they support find themselves in extremely challenging circumstances, facing learning and/or physical disabilities, trauma from abuse, behavioural challenges, mental ill health and more. Based in Penryn and Bodmin, BF Adventure uses trauma-informed youth work in the outdoors to empower them to build resilience and break down emotional, social and physical barriers in order to unlock their potential.
One such breakthrough was seen in the life of Tracey, who was referred to BF Adventure after being discharged from hospital where she had been for two months following several suicide attempts. She was very isolated, had lost touch with friends and was being home-educated. At first her only hope for the future was to stay alive until her 16th birthday. Through her time spent at BF Adventure, the challenges she has faced and working with younger children as a peer mentor, Tracey is ready to go back to college. This was her message to BF Adventure staff:
“Thank you so much for everything you have done for me. I’ve really enjoyed these last 9 months and especially the last few with the mentoring and the summer programmes. I was in a very bad place when I came to you and you helped me not only realise it but rise up. I wasn’t planning to reach my 16th birthday, let alone be able to see a future even further ahead. But thanks to each and every one of you that has completely changed and I cannot thank you enough for it… I can’t wait to see you all in the future!”
More stories can be found on BF Adventure’s Social Impact Report
Ways you can support BF Adventure
There are a number of ways to support BF Adventure, including:
- Donate to the Big Build Project
- Visit its social enterprise Via Ferrata Cornwall for an adventurous day out
- Visit The Cornish Barista’s Café on-site
- Enjoy team-building at Via Ferrata Cornwall and enter their Business Challenge Event
- Visit BF Adventure for School Day Visits and Residentials