Crafters help raise £1,250 for Conquest Centre

Crafty folk from Somerset who purchased a unicorn sewing kit from us have helped raise £1,250 for charity (December, 2016).  

Our Pet and Craft Centres teamed up to produce a ‘Candyfloss the Unicorn’ sewing kit in aid of Conquest Centre, which provides horse-based activities for children and adults with physical and learning disabilities, and have raised £1,250 through sales of the kit.

Julia Langley, our Craft Centre Assistant, said: “As part of this year’s charity fundraising we thought we’d put a craft kit together for seasoned crafters or for people who wanted to try something new and take up a hobby.

“The kit contained everything people needed to make a felt unicorn. The kits cost £3.99 and £2 from each sale went to the charity. We sold the kits in the Pet and Craft centres as well as at the Taunton Flower Show earlier in the year.

“We had great fun putting the kits together and are absolutely thrilled to have raised £1,250 for Conquest Centre. We’d like to say thank you to everyone who purchased a kit.”

Conquest Centre, which is based at Norton Fitzwarren, provides horse-based activities for people with physical and learning disabilities, including emotional and behavioural challenges, and through this benefits their health and well-being. It delivers these activities in an inclusive equine environment which welcomes the whole community.

Its work focuses on each person’s ability rather than disability and aims to allow each individual to achieve their personal goals.

Conquest began its journey in 1965. Today it caters for 180 disabled children and adults each week, as well as families/carers, students, volunteers, public riders and clubs and associations.

As well as individuals who access Conquest directly, its services are used by Community Payback, local authority care homes, special schools/SEN departments, Somerset County Council’s Short Breaks programme and local disability support groups.

Rhoda Lock, Community Fundraiser at Conquest Centre, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to the Pet and Craft Centres at Monkton Elm for putting the fantastic kits together and selling them in order to raise money for us. We are absolutely thrilled with the donation and the money will go towards a new horse, which will help three children riding here for the next six months.”