Kisharon aims to raise £1.5million for its work – in just 36 hours

A charity for people with learning disabilities hopes to raise £1.5million in just a weekend to enable its work to thrive.

Kisharon is appealing to the community for support this weekend, May 15-16, to ensure the charity can fund its essential services.

Its worst funding shortage is set to continue because of chronic underfunding and the cost-of-living crisis.

Kisharon is aiming to raise £1.5 million in 36 hours with the help of Charity Extra and all donations will be doubled through generous match funding towards a £2.2 million total required.

Jewish organisation Kisharon offers children and adults with learning disabilities a rich and diverse education and employment. It has social enterprises and supported living schemes, to enable individuals “to thrive, learn, grow and feel valued in the community”.

Chief executive Richard Franklin said: “We strive to ensure that everyone we support has the same opportunities and experiences as anybody else. It’s not only the broad range of services and equipment that enables the people we support to shine, it is the absolute dedication of the Kisharon team – fantastic teachers and support staff, carrying out their roles with excellence, kindness and empathy. We are committed to what we do, and committed to seeing people we support thrive. We want everyone to live and be respected as equals. When the people we support thrive, we thrive too.”

Emma Castleton, chair of governors at Kisharon Noé School and mother of a pupil, Elias, said: “All you ever want is for your child to be happy and to be fulfilled – to have the opportunity to reach their potential.  When Elias was born it was hard knowing that life wouldn’t be easy for him and that there were big challenges ahead. All that changed when Kisharon entered our lives and he began to thrive. Elias has learnt to walk in spite of being told he never would.”

Kisharon chairman Philip Goldberg said: “Your generosity and kindness will make a big difference this weekend to change lives, and every donation is greatly appreciated. Your help will enable Kisharon to bring equal opportunities for all. It is so important that every single person is given the tools to grow, to become the very best version of themselves, to learn a skillset enabling them to live and work in our community and beyond. We live in a world where we aspire for success and equality and Kisharon is there to make sure that people with learning disabilities have the same opportunities as their mainstream peers.”

Donate this weekend at www.charityextra.com/kisharon22 to help raise £1.5 million in just 36 hours – every donation will help the people Kisharon supports to thrive.