Update 14 February

Today we have contacted fundraisers to make them aware of offers of assistance to enable them to continue to fundraise and complete their trip:

1. Dig Deep (www.digdeep.org.uk) is a charity working in Kenya, where 8 out of 10 people lack access to clean water and sanitation. They work with schools and communities to build taps and toilets, ensure that water and sanitation services are maintained for the long term, and provide vital hygiene training to the next generation. Dig Deep and their travel subsidy, Dig Deep Challenges, are offering options for students doing the Kilimanjaro climb.

2. Choose a Challenge (www.chooseachallenge.com) is an adventure travel specialist that runs student-led challenges on behalf of a range of different charities. Students registering with Choose can select from their full range of charities to support, and any of their challenges.

If fundraisers would like to continue supporting similar projects then please consider Hope for Children (www.hope-for-children.org), which focuses on improving children’s access to education and healthcare, empowering families to support themselves whilst developing their confidence and self-esteem. Fundraisers can support Hope for Children through Choose a Challenge.

Information on trips

Although the trips on offer with Dig Deep and Choose a Challenge are similar to those offered by Childreach, there will be some differences and it is important that fundraisers understand exactly what is and is not included and the implications of signing up to a new provider.

To support fundraisers with this, each partner has created a dedicated web page to set out their offering for Childreach International fundraising transfers. This explains payments and schedules, the support they will get for fundraising and the balance of fees and charitable donations they will be making.

Registration fees

Dig Deep have agreed to waive their registration fee and are offering a range of options with reductions on their normal fundraising target based on the amount you have raised for Childreach to date.

Choose a Challenge will need you to pay a new registration fee but are offering an exclusive discount on this. In addition you will need to meet the trip specific fundraising targets.

Communication about trips

The teams at Dig Deep and Choose a Challenge will be able to discuss these options with fundraisers and help them to understand exactly how they will apply to individual circumstances. Data protection laws mean that we are unable to pass personal details to another travel partner, so fundraisers will need to initiate the contact with their travel partner and can not assume that either Dig Deep or Choose a Challenge has access to any of their data or fundraising history. In all cases above, fundraisers will be able to transfer a whole team so they can still undertake their adventure together if they wish.

Please keep checking our website for more information.

Once again, we apologise for the circumstances which have led to this situation and regret any difficulties it has caused to you. We very much hope that you will be able to continue to fundraise successfully and enjoy an amazing trip this summer.

-----

Additional information

Owing to recent financial challenges we have taken the decision to cease all of our operations with immediate effect. Consequently we are not receiving donations or recruiting participants for our Challenge Events or Big Builds.

In order to be as clear and consistent as possible we have drawn up this summary of answers to all the questions we can answer at this stage. We will continue to update this with FAQs drawn from the questions@childreach.org.uk mailbox.

Is Childreach International still operating?

As a result of financial difficulties and despite the ongoing efforts of all our staff and supporters, Childreach International has made the decision to cease all of its operations with immediate effect.

Shall I continue to fundraise for Childreach International?

No, please stop all fundraising activity for Childreach International.

What shall I do if I have a fundraising event coming up?

We have suggested above a range of options for you to transfer to a different trip; if you take one of these options you should speak to the team at Dig Deep or Choose a Challenge for specific advice but it should be possible to continue with your fundraising plans, although you should be clear to attendees how their donations will be used. You should not attempt to raise any further funds on behalf of Childreach International.

Can I be refunded for the cost of future fundraising events if they have to be cancelled?

We regret that we are not in a position to refund any costs incurred for fundraising events.

What shall I do with any funds raised that haven’t yet been banked?

We request that you do not bank any money raised in the Childreach International account. Any unbanked money raised may need to be donated to another charity or refunded to donors.

I have signed up to a Childreach International trip. If I chose not to go on an alternative trip will I be able to claim back my registration fee?

Your registration fees were not paid to by Childreach International therefore we are not in a position to refund them.

I am fundraising for a Childreach Event/ have donated money direct to Childreach International to support a fundraiser. Will the donations be refunded?

All money raised and donated to Childreach International up to and including January 19th 2018, via the BT MyDonate platform, has been transferred to Childreach International and used to meet the charitable objectives of the organisation, including our overseas programmatic work. These donations are non-refundable.
Donations made after 19th January have not yet been transferred and are currently being held in trust by BT My Donate. These are expected to be refunded to donors in the coming weeks.

Have the fundraisers themselves been informed of recent developments?

We have informed fundraisers about the situation and are working hard to keep them updated with information as we have it. If you have not been informed please email questions@childreach.org.uk and we will get back to you.

What shall I do if I have questions?

If you have questions about the alternative trips please speak to the relevant team at Dig Deep or Choose a Challenge.

For other questions we ask you kindly to direct all queries you might have to questions@childreach.org.uk

Please do not ask questions of individual Regional Event Officers or our suppliers who may not have the most current information. Do also keep an eye on the website, which we will be updating with FAQs drawn from the questions@childreach.org.uk mailbox.