Celebrating 125 years

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2020 is the 125th anniversary of the National Trust and to celebrate this special birthday, we're aiming to raise £125,000 to support a number of special projects across the English Riviera properties; Greenway, Coleton Fishacre, Bradley Manor and Compton Castle.

" the need of quiet, the need of air, and I believe the sight of sky and of things growing, seem human needs, common to all men"

The National Trust was founded in 1895 to care for historic properties, areas of beautiful countryside and to provide access to green spaces for everyone.

The values are the same then as they are today, and throughout 2020 we'll be celebrating the here and now. By fundraising for these projects, we hope to improve accessibility to areas for wellbeing and the opportunity to make all visitors to these places welcome.

We're fundraising for these special projects

View of the river Dart from Greenway, Devon

Restoration of Agatha Christie's summerhouse and flowerbeds at Greenway

We need to raise £50,000 to restore the summerhouse to its original simple design, retain the woodland edge shelter belt with an under story of evergreens appropriate to a Victoria plantation and reinstate part of the original path route. You can help us bring Agatha's summerhouse back to life by clicking here.

View from the gazebo at Coleton Fishacre, Devon

A new accessible all-weather path at Coleton Fishacre

We plan to create a paved garden path from the main house (loggia area) along the top garden to the gazebo, making it completely accessible for all. Whilst this project may seem straightforward it's actually a technical challenge due to the location, soil type and sourcing of relevant historical materials and will cost £50,000 to complete. If you'd like to donate to Coleton Fishacre's appeal, click here.

A family walking through woodland in autumn

Restoring original paths in the woods at Bradley Manor

We want to reinstate a number of the original woodland paths through Bradley Manor and woods to create a stunning circular walk that everyone can enjoy. £16,500 will enable us to install 1.25km of pathways and steps in areas of the estate that are currently extremely muddy and difficult to access. If you'd like to help us on our journey, click here.

Garden seating for visitors at Compton Castle

We need to raise £8,500 to commission a local Devon carpenter to create and install two solid oak garden seats and a square table engraved with the Gilbert Coat of Arms where visitors can sit and enjoy the majestic views. To support Compton Castle's project, click here.

Meet some of the 125 fundraisers...

Laura Cooper is running 125 miles over 10 half marathons for the National Trust

Laura is hoping to complete 125 miles during 10 half marathons

Greenway's House Steward Laura has decided to fundraise for Agatha's summerhouse and flowerbeds. She's hoping by running 125 miles during 10 half marathons we'll be able to raise the funds to restore this piece of the garden in what was described by Agatha as 'the loveliest place in the world'.

Volunteer Rosemary is fundraising for the National Trust

Volunteer Rosemary wants to help look after these special places

Volunteer Rosemary is a historian and costumed interpreter, and as well as volunteering for the National Trust she has many happy memories of family visits. She wants her grandchildren to have the same opportunities, so has offered to take the character 'Lady Katherine' on tour offering talks for a fee and hoping to raise £1,250.

Sue Gorman is running 125km over 12.5weeks

Sue is running 125km over 12.5 weeks

Fundraising Manager Sue holds Agatha Christie's holiday home in a special place. Greenway was the first National Trust property Sue visited when she moved to Devon in 2002, and she fell in love with the views of the Dart from the top of Greenway. She's decided to run 125km over 12.5 weeks to raise money for Agatha's summerhouse. Her husband Phil is joining in the fundraising by trying to complete 125 birdies in six months.

Volunteer Officer Laura will be trekking 125km in Jordan — Volunteer Officer Laura will be trekking 125km through ancient Jordan

Greenway Devon

Laura will be trekking 125km to ancient Petra

Fascinated by ancient Petra and passionate about the National trust, Volunteer Officer Laura will be setting off to walk 125km through Jordan to raise money for Agatha Christie's summerhouse. Agatha Christie and her husband Max explored the Middle East on their archaeological digs and her novel 'Appointment with Death' is set in Petra, so Laura is following in her footsteps.

Runners in the English Riviera countryside

Want to join the 125 fundraising campaign?

We want to inspire 1,000 fundraisers to each raise £125 as part of the 125 campaign. What you do to raise £125 as part of your 125 challenge is completely up to you. You could run a half marathon, walk the coast path, host a quiz night, write a short story, learn something new or throw a big bake sale - whatever you choose to do, well be with you every step of the way to help make your fundraising challenge a roaring success. With our free fundraising kit, top tips and fundraising support team, you'll be onto a winner before you even set foot on the trail or into the kitchen. Find out how you can get involved.

Getting your fundraising started...

Getting started with a fundraising kit

The kit includes a fundraising guide packed with ideas, hints and tips stickers to proudly shout about what you’ve done and a pledge card to help keep you motivated and on target. There's hand posters to ensure as many people know as possible and a collection box to gather those important donations.

Your fundraising pack will include top tips and useful fundraising items, like a National Trust vest and head scarf

Set up your JustGiving page

Once you've got your fundraising kit and you know what project you'd like to support, click here to head to the English Riviera 125 Fundraising page and start your fantastic fundraising.