A NEWQUAY surf therapy charity has launched its annual festive fundraiser to help expand its vital service across the UK.

The Wave Project in Fore Street, is set to take part in the third consecutive year of the Big Give's Christmas Challenge from December 3 to 10.

The charity has set an ambitious fundraising target of £100,000. The Wave Project aims to raise £50,000 in donations, which will be matched pound-for-pound by the Big Give. The funding will enable the charity to extend its reach to even more children across its 16 locations, from Newquay to Edinburgh and Bristol to Portrush.

The campaign kicks off on December 3, which is also Giving Tuesday, providing an opportunity for supporters to maximise their impact.

A contribution of £35 could provide a wetsuit for a child to participate in The Wave Project’s programmes, while £83 could fund a single Surf Therapy session.

For those able to give more, £600 could support a child through an entire six-week Surf Therapy course. Normally, these services would cost twice as much, but with the Big Give Christmas Challenge, your donation goes much further.

Ramon Van de Velde, the chief executive officer at The Wave Project, said: "More children than ever are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing.

“The demand for mental health services has increased dramatically in recent years.

“The Wave Project uses surf therapy to support children as young as eight who have faced significant life challenges, including bullying, bereavement, abuse, neglect and discrimination. The programme has proven effective in boosting confidence, resilience and self-esteem among participants.

“We are currently supporting over 2,100 children and young people annually, but our goal is to increase this to 2,500 in the coming year. It has been a challenging time for most charities due to the cost-of-living crisis and current fundraising climate and we are no exception.

“People’s generosity to help us improve young lives is more needed now than ever and this Christmas Challenge is our opportunity to make a significant impact for those who need it most."