Charity of the Year 2026/27!

Rushden Lakes has announced Northamptonshire Association for the Blind (NAB) and Kelly's Heroes as its Joint Charities of the Year for 2026/27. 

Following the success of its inaugural Charity of the Year programme, Rushden Lakes invited local charities to apply to become its charity partners for the coming year. The initiative asked organisations to share their mission, history and vision for how they would make the most of the partnership opportunities available at the destination.

Running throughout 2026/27, the partnership will provide both charities with a range of benefits designed to increase awareness, engagement and fundraising opportunities. These include social media and digital support, a customer service collection box, access to outdoor event space, use of the Rushden Lakes Community Sheds, on-site advertising opportunities and much more, all free of charge.

The response to this year's programme once again highlighted the strength and diversity of Northamptonshire's voluntary sector. Following a competitive selection process, shortlisted charities met with the Rushden Lakes team to discuss their work, before presenting ideas for how they would engage visitors through events and activities at the destination.

Kelly's Heroes is a Northamptonshire-based mental health charity dedicated to ensuring that no one faces mental health struggles alone. Through education, awareness and direct support, the charity works tirelessly to reduce stigma and provide help to those who need it most.

Denae Naylor, Community & Engagement Assistant at Kelly's Heroes, said:

"On behalf of us all at Kelly's Heroes, we are thrilled to have been chosen as one of Rushden Lakes' Charity Partners for 2026/27. For us, awareness and support are at the forefront of everything that we do. In order to raise awareness and support those who need it most, we need people to know who we are and what support we can offer. At Kelly's Heroes, we believe no one should ever face mental health struggles alone.

We are excited to see what comes of this fantastic partnership opportunity. We hope you'll join us throughout the year, raising awareness through fundraising events, wellbeing events or simply just saying hi and having a chat. This partnership will make a real difference to those who need us most. We can't wait to get started." 

Northamptonshire Association for the Blind (NAB) has been supporting people living with sight loss across Northamptonshire for more than a century. The charity provides practical advice, emotional support, wellbeing services and opportunities that help people with visual impairments lead independent, fulfilling lives.

Esther Goodger, Grants Development & Marketing Manager at Northamptonshire Association for the Blind, said:

"We are absolutely delighted to have been selected as Joint Charity of the Year by Rushden Lakes alongside Kelly's Heroes. This partnership presents a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the support available to people living with sight loss across Northamptonshire, while also connecting with the wider local community.

We are incredibly grateful to the Rushden Lakes team for choosing to support our work and look forward to working together over the coming year to make a meaningful difference to the lives of the people we serve."

Throughout the year, visitors to Rushden Lakes can expect a programme of fundraising activities, awareness campaigns, community events and volunteering opportunities in support of both charities.