Westcoast’s Charity of the Year 2025, voted for by the team was Yorda Adventures, a local charity creating safe, joyful spaces for children with severe disabilities. From Yorda Adventures’s dedicated Playhouse in Chessington, Yorda offers tailored play, care, and family projects that help children learn, explore, and thrive.
The Westcoast team were very proud, and both were delighted to report that Westcoast raised a match-funded total of £48,854 for Yorda Adventures.
Laura Smyth, Co-Founder of Yorda Adventures, commented:
“You can see how delighted we are and how overwhelmed we are with that amount raised because it really is like more than winning the lottery for us. Having unrestricted funds is like gold dust – it gives us the freedom to adapt and change with our families’ needs.”
Unrestricted funding allows Yorda to respond to individual needs, plan ahead, and create experiences that families often miss out on. Laura explained:
“We have so many families who need some form of individualised support. Being able to move and adapt is huge for us, and this funding makes that possible.”
The money raised will fund family play sessions, activity days, and the return of Yorda Adventures’s much-loved adventure holidays – moments that bring joy and inclusion to families who need it most. Laura adds:
“So many of our families can’t access things they see their friends doing. We want to add that little golden stardust – like our sensory fireworks night, where children could enjoy sparklers and stories without the ‘scary’ bangs.”
Across the year, Westcoast employees have been involved through a huge variety of events and challenges. From Peloton rides and marathons to raffles and inflatable runs – and even a head-shaving stunt the team threw themselves into raising funds.
