A fundraising appeal launched by Bath City Farm to raise £30,000 to help care for its animals has received a boost thanks to live match funding from the Aviva Community Fund.
Pigs at Bath City Farm | Photo © Jennifer Kelly Photography
Since launching at the start of November, the appeal has already raised £19,000 including offline donations.
The charity, which is based in Whiteway, will now benefit from Aviva’s Cost of Living Boost which will match all new, individual donations, up to the value of £250.
This means that all future donations are effectively doubled, up to the value of £250 each.
Bath City Farm launched the appeal after finding that demand for its services had never been higher.
It needs to raise money to cover running costs, to maintain and grow services as well as keep the site free at the point of access.
The money raised would pay for core costs such as staff to manage the farm site, rising energy costs, animal care costs such as bedding, food and vet bills and maintaining the site for the 42,000 people who visit the farm each year.
The animals play a vital role in the targeted therapeutic work with participants of the charity’s health and wellbeing programmes.
For many, Bath City Farm is a place to recover from acute mental distress and rebuild a healthier lifestyle, connecting with nature and each other.
It is a free resource for many families on a low income to spend a day out with children, to experience and meet farm animals and access vital green space.
Visitors can also enjoy the nature trails around the 37-acre site, ponds, and children’s play areas, all of which cost money to maintain, for example upkeeping safe pathways and gardening the grounds and flower beds.
Farm Director Brendan Tate Wistreich said: “It is vital that we raise this £30,000 to care for our animals and maintain the Farm site over the next year.
“The money will cover vet bills, animal food, bedding and shelter as well as rising energy costs and funding the staff who make this place possible.
“Our beautiful site attracts around 42,000 people each year and they can visit the Farm free of charge with no admission fee, your support makes this possible.
“Aviva’s Cost of Living Boost match funding means that any donation is doubled, up to the value of £250. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the Farm to generate much needed income in this challenging time.”
To support Bath City Farm and donate, visit https://crowdfunder.co.uk/p/bathcityfarm.
