A charity that provides accessible breaks and activities for children, adults, families and groups who may have disabilities has secured its future after an emergency fundraiser to prevent its closure raised more than £500,000. 

Calvert Exmoor launched the fundraiser in August after experiencing a combination of factors including a fall in bookings and significant increases in running costs, with the centre’s director warning: “We are running out of cash to see us through the coming quieter season.” 

The charity said that if it could not raise the required amount by 31 August it would have no choice but to close its doors. 

But with 12 hours before the deadline, the fundraiser’s total income passed £500,000, with more than 2,200 people pledging money to keep the centre open. 

Calvert Exmoor currently employs 49 people across a combination of full- and part-time roles, casual workers and contractors, with all roles placed at risk of redundancy in a meeting with trustees on 6 August. 

The charity was today unable to confirm whether the fundraised total meant the jobs were no longer at risk. 

But in an update published on the fundraising page, the charity said it was moving forward with plans “to diversify our income streams and secure a sustainable future.” 

It said: “We are fully committed to making the necessary changes to strengthen our charity for the long term. With these new strategies, we are confident that we can continue to provide the exceptional experiences that so many of you know and love at Calvert Exmoor.” 

Lizzi Stevenson, fundraising officer at the charity, told Third Sector she was “absolutely thrilled” by the success of the campaign. 

“Over the past three weeks, there have been moments of uncertainty about whether this ambitious target would be achievable,” she said. 

“However, thanks to the incredible support from our community and the belief in Calvert Exmoor’s mission, we are delighted to announce that we have not only met but exceeded our original target of £500,000. We truly cannot thank everyone enough! 

“This success marks an exciting new chapter for Calvert Exmoor, giving us the resources to implement much-needed plans to safeguard our future. 

“We are more committed than ever to diversifying our income streams and futureproofing our funding model so that we can continue providing accessible breaks for our guests now and for many years to come.”