About Us
The Graham Leavers Trust was formed in 1979, following the death of Frontier Youth Trust’s first Southern Field Officer, Graham Leavers. Since then we have given grants to disadvantaged young people.
We were joined in 2001 by Philip’s Fund, set up in memory of Philip Coulson. Philip and his family were living at the Carroty Wood Holiday/Activity Centre in Kent when he died suddenly in 1994 aged seven.
In 2012 we changed our name to The Leavers Coulson Trust (LCT).
Together, the two trusts combined have now given grants of approximately £100,000 to enable some 2,000 children and young people aged between 7 and 19 years to attend residential events.
LCT welcomes applications from across the UK and is one of the few independent sources of specific funding for individuals attending Christian residential events.
As a Christian organisation we know from experience how priceless it can be for young people to spend time at a Christian residential event. In a new, fresh environment they are free to take on the challenge of new opportunities such as climbing, archery, sailing or canoeing, developing teamwork skills and personal achievement. As well as seeing the practical expression of God’s love shown by the staff at these centres, exploring an insight into matters of faith. In recent years, there has been an increase of Christian music and arts festivals, many of them including teaching and seminar sessions – these too are supported, as long as they are residential.
LCT receives referrals from Christian youth leaders, who often serve in challenging communities where drugs, anti-social behaviour, violence and crime are common. For families living in poverty, life can be especially difficult. Often problems arise, because parents face challenges of their own as they struggle to provide for their children. It is often beyond their ability to be able to afford to pay for residential events, when just providing food, housing and heating is a daily struggle.
Trustees
Linda Peake (Non-Trustee Secretary)