Cornwall CAAP Cash for Charities winner ahead of Christmas

Throughout November readers have been voting in the Cash for Charities competition, with the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of the Packet's parent company, giving away £125,000 in cash to support local charities across the country.

The Packet's region had a £20,000 share to give away, with the higher percentage of votes received meaning a larger proportion of cash received.

Cornwall Accessible Activities Programme (CAAP) was nominated by readers to represent Cornwall in the region, up against seven others in Dorset and Hampshire.

CAAP supports families across the whole of Cornwall who have a child with an additional need or a disability, by providing activities during the school holidays.

Trips have included alpaca trekking, axe throwing and pirate golf, with Wetwheels in Falmouth one of the charity partners it works closely with.

At the end of voting, CAAP had obtained an incredible 54% of the votes, winning it an amazing £10,827.17.

Preparing lunch with CAAP are Matthew Lawrence, Sandy Lawrence (director,) Marie Whitehurst (chair) and Terry Hughes (vice chair) Picture: Colin Higgs

Upon hearing the news, the charity's director, Sandy Lawrence, said: "Thank you, so, so much.

"It's such a great group for rallying around when we have something like this.

"It just means I haven't got to worry about Easter and May activities next year."

Families were told about the windfall at their most recent meet up on Monday, wreath making and creating healthy meals at Fraddon Village Hall.

Sandy went on to explain more about what winning the cash would be mean for the charity.

"What can I say about receiving that phone call this week advising us that we had submitted the most vouchers

"I was sitting looking at our accounts, wondering who to apply for money to continue through Easter and May holidays

"It means the world to the charity, to the families we support and to the children and young people who have struggled through the pandemic.

"We now have over 840 children registered with us and having this money means we can offer activities at a reduced cost so many more can take part," she said.

Marika Cathrow (right) with a member of Cornwall Accessable Activities Programme making Christmas wreaths Picture: Colin Higgs

Sandy said that families had really got behind the charity during the competition, adding: "Many of our families wanted to help by buying the Falmouth Packet and sending in the voucher.

"One mum spent every Wednesday driving around the area buying Packets and it meant so much to her to give something back to us, as we have supported her family to access activities, especially during the long summer holiday

"We cannot thank the Falmouth Packet and the Gannett Foundation enough for this grant.

"We will look forward to sharing our photographs of what we have got up to in Easter and May."

Members of Cornwall Accessable Activities Programme making Christmas wreaths at Fraddon Village Hall Picture: Colin Higgs

The other charities in the region won:

Communicare in Southampton, tackling loneliness, won £1,371.35 with 6.86% of the vote.

Amelia’s Rainbow, supporting children in Dorset with terminal and life-limiting illnesses, won £565.96 with 2.8% of the votes.

The Bridge Youth Project in Salisbury won £1,131.91 with 5.6% of the votes

South Wight Area Youth Partnership on the Isle of Wight won £1,663.04 with 8.32% of the votes.

The Safe youth project in Basingstoke won £217.68 with 1.09% of the votes.

The Will Mackaness Trust in Weymouth won £3,452.33 with 17.26% of the votes

Winchester Go LD, providing music for adults with learning disabilities, won £770.57 with 3.85% of the votes.