1st June 2023 8-year endowment fund secured

The Rose Road Association in Southampton has a long history of providing help and support to disabled people and their families in Southampton and Hampshire. Set up over 70 years ago by parents of disabled children, the Charity, like so many, has been impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and is seeing demand for its services rocket.

The Charity, which has been working with the Edward Gostling Foundation for the last few years, has been awarded a £1million endowment from the Foundation.

This generous gift is to be used exclusively towards the core running costs of the organisation over the next 8 years. The Charity, which needs to fundraise £600,000 every year, will be allowed to release £125,000 each year from an endowment fund.

Chloe Atkins, Head of Fundraising at Rose Road said:

“Support like this isn’t something that happens to charities like us every day, it has the potential to change the lives of hundreds of disabled people for the better. Support from the Edward Gostling Foundation will help us to navigate the immediate financial challenges driven by the cost-of-living crisis and will help us to plan and grow our services over the next few years so we can support more families who need our help now and in the future. Fundraising continues to be a challenge, but this is an excellent basis for which we are all very grateful”

The Edward Gostling Foundation has a long history of partnering with charities that provide respite care, they are passionate about recognising family carers for the fantastic and vital work they do.

Caroline Kendall, of the Foundation said:

“We have been delighted to be able to contribute to several, vital projects at Rose Road over the last 7 years, and in October 2022 Trustees took the decision to award them a Deed of Gift. This Gift will give them further support for the next 8 years, enabling them to have the confidence and the ability to plan ahead. Our two organisations have a great relationship and we are confident our funding is being put to the best possible use in helping disabled children and their families. We have regular contact and receive feedback on the impact they make, and it is always good to hear how, together, we are improving lives.”

Hundreds of local families rely on the services provided by the charity.

Simon and Debbie Spicer, whose young sons attend overnight respite sessions, said:

“Rose Road is a lifeline for so many families, if it wasn’t here, we don’t know how we would have coped in recent years. It’s reassuring to see that funders like this recognise the important service Rose Road provides. Our boys love every minute at Rose Road, and we are grateful to them for keeping us functioning as a family. Thank you to the Edward Gostling Foundation and to everyone who supports Rose Road to keep going!”.

Find out more about the support available to disabled children and young people at Rose Road by taking a look at our Services.