A SWINDON charity will receive a minimum of £50,000 from a national retailer as it marks its 25th anniversary.

The Youth Adventure Trust will benefit from the financial pledge by Ellis Brigham, a family run mountain sports equipment retailer, over the next three years.

Using this funding, the trust aims to double the number of youngsters it supports over the next five years. The funding will also help to continue providing free activity days the trust offers to vulnerable aged 11-14-year-olds.

The trust’s chief executive, Mark Davey, said: “I can't stress how important this partnership will be for the charity. It feels right that we are working with a family run business as we see ourselves as one big family.”

Mark Brigham, marketing director of Ellis Brigham, said: “I had the privilege of spending time in the company of a group of youths supported by the charity, and finding out first-hand the difference that just 6 days of camping and outdoor activities had made to their lives.

“Their attitude to each other and the way they viewed themselves and their abilities led to such a growth in confidence; it was astonishing.”

For 25 years, the Swindon-based charity has inspired nearly 4,000 vulnerable young people through outdoor adventurous activities. The Trust promotes personal development by using environments outside of everyday life for vulnerable youngsters to grow and learn.

To find out more about The Adventure Trust, visit www.youthadventuretrust.org.uk.