A learning disability charity has received a massive boost after being selected by students at the University of Bristol to be its charity partner of the year.

Hft, which supports adults with learning disabilities to live independently, says that the decision by students equates to a third of its entire fundraising for the academic year.

The charity has been selected as one of three organisations Bristol RAG will support this academic year. In addition to the funding boost, the charity will also have access to a pool over student volunteers during 2022/23.

Carly Pearce, Bristol RAG President, said: “We’re so pleased that this year’s cohort selected Hft as one of our partners, and are so excited to see our fundraising efforts make such a difference in the local community! We can’t wait to get started!”

Figures suggest that around 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability, including 286,000 children alone.

Hft supports more than 2,500 of those with a learning disability. The Bristol-based charity said that it was incredibly excited about the partnership and for the doors it will open for them.

Alice Devereux, Hft’s Community Fundraising Officer, said: “We are so excited to have been nominated as one of the University of Bristol’s RAG Charity Partners of the Year. We can’t wait to team up with the Bristol RAG, putting on creative events for students to enjoy whilst raising vital funds and awareness for our wonderful charity Hft, which supports adults with learning disabilities to live the best life possible.”

The university said that the partnership will contribute to the ongoing work Hft does, supporting existing projects and opening doors to further support adults with learning disabilities to live independently.