Everyday life for a child with special needs can be tough. Imagine finding all new places or people terrifying. Imagine being frightened of bright lights, sudden sounds or any change in routine – and having people mistake your fear for bad behaviour. Imagine how frustrating it must be to want to play with your siblings or other children but, because you use a wheelchair, you are always on the sidelines. Or, because you have challenges with sight, hearing or speech, there are few places you can play or relax safely with people who have the time and skills to support you. Caring for a child with these and other special needs can place enormous pressures on a family – financial, practical and emotional.
It costs just over £300,000/year for us to provide our services to children and families. Of this around £105,000 is our core operating cost – essential expenditure to keep the lights on, the booking system working, staff recruited, trained and insured and the site safe. We receive no government funding and each family is asked to make a small annual donation when they register but this is not compulsory. All other costs must be covered by fundraising.
The Mohawk Circle is a group of supporters who help Camp Mohawk to cover these core costs. By doing this, we can concentrate on what we do best – providing fantastic facilities and projects for children with special needs and their families. Mohawk Circle members are generous people who are committed to helping us continue our work. Some have known Camp Mohawk for years, others have recently discovered what a unique place it is. Some are local, some not. There are parents, grandparents, teachers, local business people and many other kind people. Each member does two things:
- makes a monthly donation by Direct Debit of between £5 and £500/month. Every donation is important and valued
- where possible spreads the word about our work; face to face and on social media.
All Mohawk Circle members are invited to an annual campfire in June. There are marshmallows to toast, the Project Managers are there to answer questions, and you can see for yourself how the site has developed since your last visit. We invite members of our Kestrels and Hawks ‘short breaks’ groups to help and show you round.
Our Trustee, Chris Stillman, is The Mohawk Circle champion. If you’d like to know more please email him on chris.stillman@campmohawk.org.uk. If you’d like to sign up now just set up a regular donation and we’ll be in touch very soon.