April has been jam-packed here at Flynne’s Barn. As well as two lovely residential stays, we’ve seen two particularly incredible fundraising endeavours from our growing community. A warm and grateful welcome to recent donors who’ve joined us this month off the back of those.
Scroll down for our April round-up, some exciting things ahead in May and a callout that you may be able to help with! 🥾
🏃William Brown’s Bob Graham Round ⛰️
On Saturday 25th April, William, who is a Team Leader at Booths café in Keswick, completed the legendary Bob Graham Round in aid of Flynne’s Barn. As many of you will know, this is one of the UK’s most demanding endurance challenges: a 66-mile circuit with 27,000 feet of ascent across 42 of the Lake District’s highest peaks, all within 24 hours. Will heard about us through our current corporate partnership with Booths and was inspired to take on the challenge to raise funds for our young people.
William set off at 00:00 on Saturday 25th April and returned 22 hours and 40 minutes later, 40 minutes ahead of his estimated time. He was helped by an awesome team of 13 pacers and navigators, some local and others from across the North of England. He has raised £1,588 and counting, with donations still rolling in!
A huge thank you to everyone who supported Will and made the endeavour possible. And a shout-out to Billy Bland, our Patron (above), who held the Bob Graham record from 1982-2018 and was instrumental in giving Will pre-run tips and on-the-day motivational support. There’s still time to donate to William – click here.
👟👑 Flora’s London Marathon 👑👟
We were delighted to have our first London Marathon runner this year! Local PT & Pilates instructor Flora, who has recently started doing some sessional work for us, had her own ballot place but chose to raise funds for Flynne’s Barn alongside her epic running efforts.
Flora smashed it and crossed the finish line in 6 hours and 14 minutes after a hot and gruelling 26.2 miles. She’s also raised an amazing £1,500 and you can add to that total too.
🌸🌷Residentials🌷🌸
Our Flynne’s Barn stay in early April was a mixed bag of weather, with snow still on the tops. Gathering from across the UK, the group focused on nature-based arts & crafts, as well as a hike up High Doat, a canoeing expedition on Derwent Water and an evening round the fire with storyteller Jessie.
The second April stay – a Teenage Cancer Trust group from Newcastle – landed in the middle of the gorgeous Spring sunshine and were able to make the absolute most of the weather – they went canoeing too, tackled the Infinity Bridge at Honister and enjoyed one of Eni’s relaxercise sessions in the meadow. And both groups mastered a quiz from our resident Marathon Queen Flora!
🐞 Flynne’s Barn at SpringFest 🐞
On Saturday (2nd May) we’ll be at Holker Hall for their annual SpringFest. We have a stall running 10am-4:30pm and we’re excited to be speaking in their Potting Shed Theatre at 11am about our work here and the part that nature and green space plays in recovery and wellbeing for our young people. Find out more here.
🎵 Music in May 🎵
A few local faces (including our very own Amy H 👋🏻) are putting on an evening of acoustic music at Lake District Wine on Thursday 21st May. Music starts at 7:30pm and will roll on until the bar closes. The evening is not ticketed, but donations on the night will go to Flynne’s Barn. Our thanks to Lake District Wine, who are kindly hosting the event.
🥾 And lastly: we need your footwear! 🥾
We are in need of Crocs and walking boots in good condition to loan to our young people when they stay. If you have pairs of these that you don’t use or you’re moving on, please consider sending them up to Thorneythwaite Farm so our young people can use them to get outdoors!
All sizes welcome 👣 get in touch on amy@flynnesbarn.org if you can donate shoes.
Thank you for reading 💚 as always, please get in touch with any thoughts – or your own updates. We’d love to hear from you.
With best wishes from all at Flynne’s Barn 🌤️