A wellbeing and nature project is hoping to raise at least £15,000 in just one week, to “boost its work restoring nature and helping people to benefit from spending time in the wild outdoors”.

Cambrian Wildwood must raise £15,000 before 7 December as part of the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2021, in which donations to participating charities will be doubled.

Cambrian Wildwood is restoring a vibrant nature-rich landscape at Bwlch Corog, near Machynlleth, where it hosts wellbeing and nature connection programmes for a variety of different groups, including vulnerable young adults, young carers and school pupils, and regular volunteer days.

The 350-acre site includes native broadleaved woodlands, a precious 10-acre fragment of ancient Celtic rainforest, and globally important blanket peat bog.

Nature recovery at Bwlch Corog has already seen the planting of 2,000 native trees, rewetting of peatland and bog, and the introduction of wild horses whose conservation grazing is helping wildflowers and other plants to flourish.

Project Director Simon Ayres said: “We have ambitious plans for boosting our vital work for nature and people – so it’s a real boost to have been selected to take part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2021, where we’ll be aiming to raise at least £15,000 in just one week.

“Every donation to us through the challenge will be doubled, which means double the impact.

“We’re urging people to give what they can to help us create positive and long-lasting change for people and nature.”

Clarissa Richards, Cambrian Wildwood’s Education Specialist, said connecting people with wildlife is “fundamental” to good physical and mental health: “During the pandemic, some found solace in nature, but the past 18 months have been extremely difficult for many people. We want to ensure that what we do at Bwlch Corog offers people the chance to thrive and benefit from wild spaces.”

To support Cambrian Wildwood’s work for nature and people, please visit https://donate.thebiggive.org.uk/ and search Cambrian Wildwood to make a donation from midday on Tuesday, 30 November to midday on Tuesday, 7 December.