PROJECTS and Beneficiaries
The following are just a few examples of projects which the Kirklees Adventure Trust has supported. This is only made possible by the generosity of our supporters and sponsors, our fundraising events such as the annual Fayre and through grants for which we have successfully applied.
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“The Kirklees Outdoor Learning Team at Little Deer Wood has benefited from the longstanding support of the Kirklees Adventure Trust across many areas—from funding essential equipment and developing facilities like the archery range, to providing individual participant support that ensures outdoor learning and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award opportunities remain accessible to all. We deeply value our strong partnership with the Trust and look forward to continuing this collaboration for many years to come. Our heartfelt thanks go to all Trustees, past and present, for their dedication and commitment.”
Graham Bruce, Team Manager
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"The funding from the Kirklees Adventure Trust allows us to provide a safe, secure and welcoming space for young people with additional needs at The Quarry Hill Centre. We have bookings 6 days a week now from Schools and In-Pals, and host an Open Award Centre Duke of Edinburgh Award each Wednesday evening. We work with the Church and the Community, and allow a mixture of people with vastly different backgrounds to work together and learn skills from each other. I get a huge satisfaction and a sense of pride from building things that help the students with their social and life skills, and we always receive very positive feedback from the groups who hire the centre. This encourages the Trustees to further improve the facilities available"
Steve Langton, Treasurer, Quarry Hill Centre
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Supporting Award Participants
Southgate School
"Kirklees Adventure Trust have been a huge support to our SEN school over the years, by allowing pupils to access the DofE Award with no financial barrier. They have helped fund participant enrolment places as well as vital expedition equipment needed to make our expeditions happen."
Ben Walker, DofE Award Leader. 2024
Funding the Low Ropes
Little Deer Wood
The accessible course offers fantastic developmental and educational opportunities for participants of all abilities. The bespoke elements form a circuit to offer a continual challenge course which was designed to accommodate wheelchairs and offers a unique challenge for groups of all abilities to work as a team and overcome problems and obstacles together.
The Trust is indebted to the West Riding Masonic Charities Ltd (sponsored by Howley Lodge, Batley) and to Cummins Turbo Technologies for their generous financial support and to Cummins' staff teams who volunteered to undertake the ground works and clearing in preparation for the installation of the course.
Funding the Stage
Little Deer Wood
​The decking stage is a multifunctional area at Little Deer Wood which has helped make use of an uneven slope. As well as a first-class performance area, it's generous proportions mean it can be used for several activities, as well as a raised sleeping platform on which to pitch teepees. The Trust were able to support this project with the generous support of Mirfield Educational Charity.
Garden
Quarry Hill Centre
"Cultivating the garden at the Centre provides opportunities for young people to broaden the scope of their horticultural experience- deadheading, pruning, learning how plants grow and how we can use the things that we’ve grown (herbs, vegetables etc). We are particularly proud of our "Duke of Edinburgh" roses which the Kirklees Adventure Trust bought for us"
Richard Woffenden, Volunteer
Funding the Archery Range
Little Deer Wood
"KAT has been an invaluable supporter of the Outdoor Learning Team over many years. Their contributions through funding participant places, providing equipment, promoting our offer, and enhancing the facilities have made a huge difference to countless young people. One of the standout improvements is the upgrade of the archery range, which has transformed the space into a versatile, floodlit area which can be used year-round. This development has greatly enriched the centre, allowing us to offer a wider range of inclusive activities."
Heidi Langton July 2025
Outdoor Learning Team Leader
Funding the Conservation Shed
Quarry Hill Centre
"I would like to say a big thankyou to KAT for their kind donation. Without the funding we would not have been able to install the posts and supporting wire for the archery net and a new larger shed which will provide more storage for gardening tools and a sheltered workshop area for anyone doing
gardening and conservation at QHC. This has provided amazing opportunities for all of those using the centre and opened doors to people of all abilities within Kirklees"
Ashley Berry, Chairman, Feb 2025
Funding the Auto Belays
Little Deer Wood
​Climbing requires a lot of problem-solving, mental concentration and focus, so it helps sharpen your brain. A lot of people like it as it allows you to escape everyday worries and just focus on the climb. It also can give a great sense of achievement.
The Auto Belays have enabled Little Deer Wood to reduce the amount of time needed to get participants climbing quickly and safely. Using an auto belay helps to reduce operating costs, attracts more climbers and makes climbing even more fun. The Trust would like to thank the Peter Harrison Foundation and Sir George Martin Trust for their generous support.
Funding Award Participants
“Through the support from KAT I have successfully completed my bronze, silver and gold DofE Awards. This meant that I was able to do my expedition around Kirklees, North Yorkshire Moors and the Peak District. Since, I have become a young leader for my Award Centre and a national ambassador for the DofE Awards.
The skills I have acquired have helped me to open many doors in life. One of the main lessons I have learnt is to lead by example and share my skills with the other people (all boys) in my group.
I am forever grateful for the support I have received from the Trust.”
Safa Ahmad​
Funding Waterproofs for DofE participants
Little Deer Wood
The Trust provided funding of 30 waterproof jackets and 20 waterproof trousers which participants in outdoor activities can use whilst on expeditions from Little Deer Wood
Half-funding the Minibus
Little Deer Wood
Alongside the Variety Club Sponsor, KAT funded the Accessible Minibus for Little Deer Wood. This is used daily to transport young people to and from activities, and without which most of the ventures would not be able to go ahead.
