THE Children's Adventure Farm has set out its plans for 2020 in a bid to provide more memories for children and families.

The charity, based near Lymm, provides free holidays, day visits, fun days and Christmas parties at its 10-acre site for disabled, ill and disadvantaged children.

It has evolved from modest beginnings in the early 1990s to now supporting more than 3,000 children per year, all provided through the fundraising efforts of the charity and their numerous supporters.

Last year, the adventure farm helped 3,890 children through residential stays, day visits, and party days.

In 2020, the team is aiming to increase this figure to 5,369 and create new sensory room facilities

Ian Eccles, CEO of the Children's Adventure Farm Trust, said: "We've got quite a lot going on this year to fill any gaps identified by our visitors. "We want to be able to provide more opportunities to those who visit and be able to accommodate some of those we haven't been able to in the past.

"We only have a certain amount of physical space for children so we want to maximise this.

"By creating opportunities for more families and day trips, we will be able to start connecting people who have similar lives and organise special days for them.

"Last week we had young people on a work placement with us who study for employment skills at college.

"It was great for younger children with special educational needs and disabilities to see the range of jobs they could also do and see others with SEN in employment.

"It is going to be a really positive year."

To fulfil their vision, the charity must increase fundraising by £200,000, bringing their target for this year to £1.2million.

Staff and supporters have never shied away from challenging fundraising events and this year will be no different with a trek in India planned as part of the efforts.

Having listened to children and their families and teachers, CAFT has drawn out its plans for 2020 based on recurring ideas such as more outdoor provisions.

This includes a Forest School called All Out Adventure which provides a woodland experience for children.

Here they will be able to take part in activities such as team building, child initiated play, nature art and craft work, den building and wildlife discovery.

The forest school will be headed up by Joy Potter, a former EYFS specialist and SENCo in Liverpool.

In keeping with suggestions of more hands-on outdoor activities, the adventure farm is launching a horticultural project where children can learn to garden.