Madam,

The local charity DASH (Disability and Self Help) was featured recently in your publication receiving a generous donation of £600 from Aberystwyth Rotary Club.

DASH is a parent-led organisation providing a range of valuable leisure and skills-training schemes for the benefit of children and young people with disabilities, and their families, who live in Ceredigion.

DASH celebrates its 40th birthday this year, something everyone involved with the charity is very proud of.

Over this time DASH has been fortunate enough to benefit from funding from Ceredigion County Council as well as national grant funding bodies. These monies are complemented by vital support from local organisations and individual donations, all of which directly contribute to the longevity of this small homegrown charity.

I would like to thank all those who have supported DASH over four decades whether through funding, donations or indeed the many who have worked or volunteered for the organisation.

As we look ahead to the next decade we are mindful of the increasing financial challenges that face us and all small charities that serve their immediate community.

As local authority budgets stand still or reduce we see the demand for grants from national funders massively increase. Therefore in order to maintain what we offer and continue to thrive we must strive harder. Support from within the community of Ceredigion has never been more important or necessary.

So I must thank the Rotary Club of Aberystwyth and similar groups for the tremendous job they do to support small charities.

Anyone wanting further information about DASH can contact me by calling 01545 570951 or via email [email protected]

Yours etc,

Jo Kennaugh, manager, DASH.

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