A SOUTH Lakeland charity which has supported more than 83,000 people in the North West since it launched, is celebrating a major milestone.

Since it was set up in 1978, the Bendrigg Trust, an outdoor centre and registered charity in Old Hutton, near Kendal, has helped people with disabilities to 'achieve through adventure.'

This year the charity is celebrating its 40th anniversary and over time it has provided a wide range of activities such as caving, climbing and canoeing alongside valuable residential experiences, which promote independence.

The self-funded trust has helped many families find their feet through these adventurous activities and for one family in particular, they could not be more thankful for the work the charity does.

Clare Millington, from Kirkby Lonsdale, is a mum of three children. In 1999, Pip and Alix were born with a rare condition caused by a mutation in the DDX3X gene. At the time of their birth there were only 40 cases in the world.

The family has been visiting the Bendrigg Trust to receive support for the girls for more than 13 years now.

"The Bendrigg Trust has been life-changing for the twins and our whole family. There are not many places where your 23-year-old son and 18-year-old daughters who live with complex disabilities can enjoy themselves alongside each other as equals," said Mrs Millington.

"Both girls have a severe learning difficulty which means as well as the consistent support and safeguarding, you are also dealing with two fun-loving, excitable youngsters.

"Taking the girls to Bendrigg has been the lens through which we can see our twins as independent young women who make progress in overcoming fears and challenges just as any other teenager would. "

The trust specialises in delivering courses for disabled and disadvantaged people to promote inclusion and build self-confidence through adventurous activities and it has helped achieve a life long dream for Pip Millington.

"Pip has been the subject of the Radio 4 appeal by Jamie Andrew, the famous para-climber. The trust has been so supportive in helping Pip with her dream to be a para-climber – a goal which she is on target for," said Mrs Millington.

Every year it costs around £800,000 to keep The Bendrigg Trust running and it relies heavily on donations from far and wide.

At this year's Scottish Power Foundation Awards, the trust not only received a grant of £75,000 but one family was recognised for their dedication and hard work to the charity.

The Barker family, from Brighton, were given the title of charity champions for their commitment towards the trust and also received a £5,000 donation towards their favourite charity.

Jim Barker, who has Cerebral Palsy with spastic quadriplegia and learning difficulties, has been involved with the charity for over two decades.

The Bendrigg Trust values the donations and support it receives from everyone but is especially grateful to the Barker family for their work. Sarah Garman from The Bendrigg Trust said; "The entire Barker family are charity champions in our eyes and truly exemplify what Bendrigg stands for. They are always on hand to support our charity through fundraising and awareness raising."

The family has personally raised £25,000 for The Bendrigg Trust and has facilitated another £40,000.