Timeout Family Raises £4,864.88 for Mental Health Charity Through Year of Community Spirit

The power of community has never been more evident than in the past year at Timeout Children's Homes. What started as a simple fundraising goal has transformed into an incredible journey of compassion, determination, and collective action that raised £4,864.88 for Invictus, a vital mental health charity for children based in Halifax.

From epic assault courses to magical Christmas markets, our Timeout family has shown that when we come together with a shared purpose, we can achieve extraordinary things. Here's the story of how our carers, staff, children, and schools turned everyday moments into opportunities for making a real difference in young lives.

A Year of Creative Fundraising Adventures

The Great Timeout Bake Off

The year kicked off with flour flying and ovens working overtime as our team embraced their inner baking champions. The Timeout Bake Off competitions brought out surprising talents and fierce (but friendly) competition. From perfectly piped cupcakes to show-stopping brownies, our children proved that creativity in the kitchen could translate into funds for a worthy cause.

Conquering the Total Warrior Challenge

Perhaps no event captured the spirit of our fundraising efforts quite like the Total Warrior challenge. Picture this: 30 brave Timeout team members tackling an intense assault course, pushing themselves beyond their comfort zones for children's mental health.

The Total Warrior event is no casual jog in the park. Participants faced rope climbs, mud crawls, wall scaling, and obstacles designed to test both physical and mental strength. Our team didn't just participate—they dominated, supporting each other through every challenging moment.

Watching colleagues who had never attempted such a physical challenge push themselves to complete the course was genuinely inspiring. Some discovered hidden strengths, others overcame fears, but all demonstrated the kind of resilience we hope to in still in the children we serve.

Children Leading by Example

The Car Boot Sale Success

Our young people didn't want to be passive beneficiaries of adult fundraising efforts—they wanted to lead their own initiatives. The children organized and hosted a car boot sale that showcased their entrepreneurial spirit and community engagement.

They sorted through donated items, priced everything fairly, and spent their morning at Head office engaging with carers and staff members who came to support the cause. The event raised significant funds, but more importantly, it gave our children the chance to help other young people facing mental health challenges.

The pride on their faces as they counted the money raised was unmistakable. They understood they were making a difference for children who might be struggling in ways they could relate to.

Awards Evening Raffle Excitement

Our annual awards evening took on extra significance this year with an exciting raffle featuring amazing prizes. The evening celebrated achievements across our organisation, but the raffle added an element of community spirit that brought everyone together for a common cause.

The raffle became a highlight of the night, with everyone hoping to win while knowing their participation was contributing to children's mental health support.

The Pyjama Lake Walk: Comfort Meets Compassion

One of the most heart warming events of the year was our pyjama walk around Hollingworth Lake. Carers, staff, and children donned their most comfortable sleepwear for a gentle but meaningful journey around the local lake.

The sight of families walking together in colourful pyjamas, laughing and chatting while raising money for mental health support, perfectly captured what our fundraising efforts were all about—bringing comfort and hope to children who need it most.

The walk wasn't about speed or distance; it was about showing up, walking together, and demonstrating that supporting mental health can be both meaningful and enjoyable. The relaxed atmosphere encouraged conversations about mental health awareness and the importance of community support.

School Spirit at Brearley Hall

The Magical Christmas Market

Brearley Hall school transformed into a winter wonderland for their magical Christmas market, creating an enchanting experience that brought the wider community together. The market featured handmade crafts, festive treats, and holiday activities that captured the spirit of the season.

Students, teachers, and families worked together to create stalls that offered everything from homemade decorations to hot chocolate and mince pies.

 Individual Hero: The 5,000-Step Challenge

Sometimes the most inspiring stories come from individual determination. One of our very special young people decided to challenge himself with a daily 5,000-step goal for two weeks—and he didn't just meet it, he smashed it every single day.

This young person's commitment demonstrated remarkable self-discipline and dedication to helping other children. Each day, regardless of weather or other activities, he laced up his shoes and walked his steps. His determination inspired others and showed that age is no barrier to making a meaningful contribution.

The £4,864.88 raised represents far more than money—it represents hours of planning, moments of courage, acts of creativity, and countless small decisions to put helping others ahead of personal convenience.

Invictus, based in West Yprkshire , provides crucial mental health support for children at a time when such services are desperately needed. Mental health challenges among young people have increased significantly, making organizations like Invictus essential lifelines for families seeking help.

By supporting Invictus, our Timeout family has contributed to counseling services, support groups, crisis intervention, and educational programs that help children develop resilience and coping strategies. Every pound raised translates into direct support for young people who might otherwise struggle alone.

The charity's work aligns perfectly with our values at Timeout Children's Homes. We understand the importance of mental health support in creating stable, nurturing environments where children can thrive.

A Heartfelt Thank You

To every person who participated in a bake-off, conquered the Total Warrior course, organized a car boot sale, bought raffle tickets, walked around the lake in pyjamas, created magic at the Christmas market, or cheered others on—thank you.

To the young person who committed to 5,000 steps daily and inspired us all with your determination—thank you.

To the staff members who went above and beyond their regular duties to organise events, encourage participation, and create memorable experiences—thank you.

To our schools that opened their doors and hearts to community fundraising—thank you.

To everyone who donated items, bought tickets, spread the word, or simply showed up to support our efforts—thank you.

The money raised for Invictus represents the very best of who we are as the Timeout family. It shows that when we combine our individual strengths, talents, and determination, we can create positive change that extends far beyond our immediate community.

This year has proven that making a difference doesn't require grand gestures or enormous resources—it requires people willing to care, participate, and work together toward something bigger than themselves. Our Timeout family has shown we have that spirit in abundance.

Thank you for making this journey possible. Thank you for showing that together, we can make a real difference in the lives of children who need our support.