A call has gone out from the leading youth charity YHA (England & Wales) to help raise funds to change the lives of disadvantaged young people living in Mansfield and Ashfield and the surrounding areas.

The charity, which has a network of youth hostels in England and Wales, wants to raise enough money through its Project90 campaign to give a total of 900 young people a life enriching residential adventure; 90 of those young people will be from the East Midlands.

Recent statistics show that there has never been a greater need to support vulnerable young people.

Recent TUC analysis has shown that the number of children living below the breadline – despite being in a working family – has increased by 38% since the decade began. In the East Midlands, 184,085 children were living in poverty in 2018, 48% more than in 2010.

According to the End Child Poverty Coalition, in 2017/18 an estimated 30% of children in Ashfield and Mansfield were living in poverty after housing costs.

While YHA cannot change poverty, the youth charity wants to ensure that children who need them the most do not miss out on life-shaping experiences.

This Christmas, YHA wants to raise enough money to the East Midlands’ most vulnerable young people on a two-night adventure-packed holiday, including transport and all meals, to one of its youth hostels.

Project90 is YHA’s most ambitious campaign in the charity’s history. Since its formation 90 years ago in the throes of The Great Depression, YHA has given thousands of young people across the country the chance to experience the transformative effects of travel and adventure.

But there are still children who are missing out. Whether they are suffering with illness, are a carer for a parent, or simply can’t afford it – some have never seen the sea, mountains or animals in the wild.

Donations will enable children at who need it the most to have an unforgettable adventure, filled with activities like canoeing, kayaking and raft building at YHA Edale in the Peak District and archery, orienteering, and shelter building at YHA Sherwood Forest.

An overnight adventure break at a youth hostel like YHA Sherwood Forest will provide young people with much needed respite from their challenging lives.

Alan Kempson, Manager of Sherwood Forest youth hostel, explained: “We know that getting out of your comfort zone, being physically active and being outdoors all have hugely positive effects on physical and mental wellbeing which is exactly what young people living challenging lives need. Having experiences like YHA provides shape and develop us, and it’s very important to us that nobody is left behind. Your generosity will help shape young people in your area.”

Research has shown that staying in a youth hostel can be transformative with people reporting increased physical activity, improved family relationships, greater life satisfaction, reduced isolation and greater appreciation for the environment. The charity wants to bring these benefits to more young people in the area.

Project90 marks the charity’s 90th anniversary which it celebrates in 2020. It aims to reach a total of 900 young people across the 10 regions of England and Wales, but it can only do so through donations from generous members of the public.

Alan added: “Project90 will allow us to reach those young people in our area who are most in need, but we can only achieve our ambition if people donate.”

To give the gift of adventure this Christmas to young people in need in your area, please donate today at yha.org.uk/donate