2015 annual review - family holiday association

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A review of how we helped struggling families in our 40th Anniversary year.

(Published May 2016)

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Family Holiday Association - Annual Review 20152

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A time to celebrateWelcome to the Family Holiday Association’s Annual Review of 2015.

Last year was no ordinary year for our charity. In May, we marked 40 years of offering simple breaks to families in desperate circumstances. In the four decades since we became a registered charity in 1975 we’ve helped more than 28,000 families including 76,800 children.

We’re fortunate in the UK that our coast is never too far away. Yet there are many thousands of children in this country who have never seen a beach, built a sand castle or paddled in the sea. Last year as many as 2 million UK families didn’t have the means to even go on a day trip together.

The good news is that in 2015 we helped 3,734 families – more than in any other year in our history. It is an amazing achievement, and we promise to continue

working hard this year and in the future to increase the number of families we help.

I hope you enjoy our latest Annual Review. We have tried to highlight the successes of 2015 by profiling the people who made it all happen and we’ve included some case studies of families who have benefited from our help and your generosity.

Our charity exists because there is a desperate need for our work. We continue to exist and to expand thanks to the hard work and skills of our staff and our trustees and - above all – to the kindness and generosity of our many loyal supporters.

Thank you.

Alison Rice

Chair of Trustees for the

Family Holiday Association


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Problems affecting families How families benefited

Most families referred to us were facing multiple issues and challenges.

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families benefited from our help. More in one year than ever before! That’s 8,837 children and 5,400 adults

72%Anxiety and depression

38%Domestic violence

33%Physical health issues

32%Victims of abuse and harassment

23%Victims of antisocial behaviour and crime

of families had a short break together for the first time

3,734 1 in 3 children visited a beach for the first time

We worked with 1,000 referrers nationwide from 187 local authority areas

Many families stayed in one of our 14 caravans across Britain

97%of children had new experiences 90%

were able to cope better

91%had reduced stress and worries 91%

had more confidence

94%of families had a chance to spend more time together 90%

got on better as a family

We raised funds to add 2 new caravans for the 2016 season

49%

OUR ANNIVERSARY YEAR IN NUMBERS


CASE

STUDIES

Building sand castles, building confidencePaula is a lone parent struggling with depression. She finds it difficult to venture out of her London home, and this has put a strain on her relationship with her four-year-old son Aiden, who always wants to be out and about.We were contacted by Natasha Catnott

from the children’s charity Chance UK, who asked if we could find an opportunity for Paula and Aiden to visit the seaside – something Paula would normally not have the confidence to arrange, let alone the money to afford.To begin with, Aiden’s 2015 summer

holidays consisted of little more than staying home and watching TV or playing outside the front door. But in August, thanks to free travel tickets from National Express, we were able to give Paula and Aiden the chance to visit Bournemouth on the Dorset coast.On the trip, Paula and Aiden created many

precious memories together. They loved spending time on the beach building sand

castles and playing in the water. Paula says the best thing was being away from home, and she will never forget it.The day out has inspired Paula to start

walking further afield and researching activities that she can access for free with her son. For Aiden, it was the first time he had been to the seaside with his mother, and he was impressed by how much she taught him about the sea. They have now found a joint interest in seaside, helping them to strengthen their bond and look forward to a brighter future.

Happier familiesMeet two families whose lives have changed for the better, all thanks to a simple Family Holiday Association break

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“I won’t be around for ever, but the memories will”When Lee was 10 years old, he was the only survivor of a car accident that killed his brother and both parents. Having never really dealt with the emotions caused by the tragedy, Lee was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in his late teens.Life started to get better when he met

Tara at the age of 19, and the couple soon married and had a daughter together. But shortly after Tara became pregnant with their second child, life dealt another blow: Lee was diagnosed with multiple scelorosis. Lee was told that he was going to lose the

use of his legs, his speech would become slower, and his nervous and muscular systems would eventually shut down completely. Depression soon followed, affecting his ability to cope and making his relationships with his wife and daughters extremely difficult.

Lee’s doctor referred his family to the Family Holiday Association. He wasn’t happy about it at first, as he was a proud man and “didn’t want charity”. But when his doctor explained more about what the charity could do for his family, he began to change his mind. It had been a very long time since his daughters had swum in the sea, and he couldn’t remember the last time he saw Tara relax.

While the stories on these pages are all true, names and some other details have been altered to protect families’ confidentiality. Images are for illustration purposes only.

A few simple days away in a caravan by the British coast worked wonders for Lee and his family. He now tells us: “I’d like to thank the charity for those few days away – a few days that allowed us to feel like we didn’t have a care in the world. Thank you for giving my family happy memories. I won’t be around for ever, but the memories will.”

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Each of the families we support is referred to us by someone already working with them in a supporting role. Our referral network includes teachers, health visitors, social workers and other charities such as Barnardo’s and Shelter. Families cannot apply for a break directly. By working with referrers, we can be sure that the funds we raise help the families who will benefit most.

What our referrers doAfter submitting an application on behalf of a family they know well, a referrer will continue to act as the point of contact throughout the application process. If a family’s application is accepted, their referrer will help them to book and prepare for their break, pass on the charity’s contribution towards expenses (if applicable) and ensure that feedback is sent in to us afterwards.Families who have never been on

holiday may not know what to expect, so their referrer will help them with things like arranging transport, what to pack, budgeting and different things to see and do on and around the holiday park.

Fantastic feedbackWe receive tremendous feedback from referrers every single day. They tell us that families are happier and stronger as a result of their breaks. They also report that, in some instances, breaks have led directly to increased participation in adult education, improved learning and child behaviour at school, and more proactive and positive attitudes towards other types of support such as marriage counselling.

The hard work and dedication of everyone in our referral network has delivered fantastic results for our families over the past 12 months

A referrer’s story Here, Maryam Mahmud, a family support worker for Sheffield Young Carers, shares her experiences as a Family Holiday Association referrer…“Sheffield Young Carers is

an independent charity that has existed in Sheffield since 1997. We offer support to children and young people aged eight to 25 who live in Sheffield and provide care for one or more family members who have disabilities, chronic physical illnesses, mental health difficulties or


Champions of change

Referring fa

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Are you working with a family that needs our help? If you would like to apply on behalf of a family, please visit our website FamilyHolidayAssociation.org.uk/apply-for-a-break. Here you’ll also find more details on the referral process, including how to register as a referrer, along with lots more information about our charity. If you would like to become a referrer and have any specific questions, please email us at [email protected] or call 020 3117 0651 (10am-4pm, Mon-Fri).

problems with substance misuse.“I have been referring families to the

Family Holiday Association for about five years now, and in that time I’ve referred several families per year. The vulnerable people that I come into contact with in my work have, more often than not, never had a holiday. This is often partly because of issues to do with anxiety and mental health, but also because their finances won’t allow for it: a holiday isn’t something a carer or their family are able to think about. “One family I worked with recently – a

mum and her son – went to Blackpool and

had an amazing time. Before they left, they were on quite a downer: things had been very difficult at home, particularly with Mum’s health, her mobility issues and a breakdown in relationship with Dad. The break came at the ideal time as it enabled them to leave things behind, enjoy each other’s company and create some new memories.“When they came back, they had so many

stories to tell; they were raving about it for days. The break really refreshed their perspective on their relationship and gave the young carer and Mum some quality time together. They are more positive,

focused and appreciative of the things they do have. There really is a lot to be said for the seaside and how it can offer a breath of fresh air. All the families I have referred are buzzing after their breaks. “Working with the Family Holiday

Association is great; it’s always a smooth process. I do my applying online, and if there’s an issue – perhaps a problem with the timing of the break – I normally contact the charity and they sort things out for me. There haven’t been any issues that haven’t been dealt with. Everyone is really nice, friendly and approachable. They’re lovely people!”

A big thank you!

To all of our referrers, thank you

for the amazing efforts you have

put in over the past year. Your

contribution has played a vital part

in making our 40th Anniversary year

memorable, with more families

helped than ever before.

We own and maintain 14 caravans at seven Haven and Butlins holiday parks across the UK (with two more added for 2016). We also rent caravans owned by Haven as and when required. Holiday parks in locations such as Skegness and Prestatyn provide a safe and manageable environment for our families, as well as activities to help make each day fun and exciting.

Day trips These types of break are typically a simple day out at the seaside, a local tourist attraction or museum. Days out are often awarded to those who might struggle to spend a night away, perhaps because they lack confidence, have caring responsibilities or need to stay close to home for medical treatment.In 2015, we offered more day trips than

seaside breaks for the first time in our history. This was thanks to an increase in the number of partner organisations – such as National Express, the National Trust, Visit Kent and Visit York – offering free tickets and admissions for our families.

We provide short breaks and day trips for families in terrible circumstances. They are all struggling with problems such as severe and long-term illness, bereavement, mental health issues, disability and domestic violence. Many of the people we help have never been on a family holiday before.

New horizons

Short breaks by the seaThe short breaks we offer enable individual families to spend a few nights at a holiday park at the British seaside. These breaks include self-catering accommodation in a caravan plus entertainment passes for the park’s facilities. A contribution towards travel or other expenses may also be offered depending on circumstances.

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A simple day trip or first-time visit to the seaside can be a lifeline for families facing some of the toughest challenges life can bring


“The day trip gave us

the ability to spend

some quality time

together as a family

and get away from

our problems for a

day, which was nice

for us all.”

Family who visited Leeds Castle in Kent


“The trip to Bournemouth was

the most amazing day. We spent

the time on the beach building

sand castles and playing in the

water. The best thing was being

away from home and I will never

forget it.”

Family who received National Express tickets

The benefits of quality time togetherSpending quality time together as a family away from home offers welcome respite from daily hardship, a new sense of optimism and hope for the future.For many of the children we help, a trip to the seaside offers the chance to paddle in the sea,

build a sand castle or fly a kite for the very first time. The joy of simply seeing other people smile can lift them out of their everyday cares and worries, and enrich their lives forever.In addition to feedback from our families, there is academic research to show that a

family holiday can create lifelong happy memories, stronger relationships between family members and an improved quality of life.

Our growing list of partners We are hugely grateful to the travel and tourism industry partners who have donated tickets and admissions in 2015, helping more than 3,700 families access a short break or day out.If you are interested in exploring how your organisation could work with the Family Holiday

Association to help even more struggling families in 2016, please contact John Kinnear by emailing [email protected] or calling 020 3117 0654.

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What our partners say… “At the National Trust we want as many people as possible to have the

opportunity to experience the wonderful houses, gardens, countryside

and coast we look after. We’re so pleased to be working with the

Family Holiday Association because they do such important work

supporting families across the country.”

Sue Wilkinson, Director of Supporter Development, National Trust


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The Family Holiday Association owns caravans at sites across the UK, from Prestatyn to Skegness and Ayrshire to East Sussex. Families who stay in one of these can look forward to a fully equipped, modern three-bedroom caravan with a range of exciting activities on site – including a pool, kids’ club and, of course, a beach.

We’ve added more caravans… and there are more to come! In spring 2015, we appealed for help to

replace our oldest caravan at Devon Cliffs near Exmouth. The appeal was a huge success and we now have a new caravan on site that hosted its first family during the Easter holidays. And because we exceeded our target amount, we also have extra funds to put towards running costs.We are particularly grateful to two

individual and corporate benefactors whose large donations have enabled us to add two more caravans to our fleet, bringing the total to 16. The first of these is at the Craig Tara site in Ayrshire, and was ready in

time for Easter 2016. Our existing caravan at this location has proved immensely popular with families, so we added another caravan here to help even more struggling families from the Glasgow area.Our second new caravan is at the Haven

Primrose Valley site near Filey in North Yorkshire. We chose this location to fill geographical gaps in our coverage in parts

Homes by the seaFamilies awarded a seaside break get to spend a few days in a caravan at a UK holiday park. Thanks to our generous supporters, we now own more caravans than ever before

of the North and North East of England. Primrose Valley is an ideal location for families thanks to its great facilities and beautiful sandy beach. This caravan was also ready in time for Easter.

One of our new caravans is located at the Haven Primrose Valley park in North Yorkshire

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Presthaven Sands, PrestatynThe Irish Sea may be chilly, but that doesn’t matter – the chance to paddle, splash and swim just like other children is often all it takes to put a smile on a child’s face. Also here in North Wales, families can learn to paint pottery and marvel at the abundance of wildlife.

Hafan-y-Môr, GwyneddHere in northwest Wales, children and families can share quality quiet time together on the tranquil beaches, in the scenic gardens and on the pretty boating lake. The all-weather sports complex is a great place for active souls to enjoy new pursuits such as football, basketball and rounders.

Minehead, SomersetLittle ones can spend hours building sand castles here, and there’s a popular ice-cream parlour where children who have never known how it feels to receive a treat can taste all the different flavours. The site’s new fairground includes teacups, ladybirds and a mini train for the under-fives.

Combe Haven, East SussexAt this site, families can see and learn about wildlife at the charming nature reserve, explore acres of beautiful countryside and gaze across the English Channel. What could be better for putting traumatic experiences to one side and creating precious new memories?

Skegness, LincolnshireStaying in a caravan at the original Butlins site gives kids the chance to paddle and swim at the recently built Splash Waterworlds development, while grown-ups can indulge their love of arts and crafts at the Skyline Pavilion. And, of course, no trip to Skeggy is complete without fish and chips!

Park life Find out more about the five other locations where we own caravans…

Our new websiteIn 2015, we launched our new website. Thanks to more robust technology, more logical sections, clearer wording and simpler navigation tools, it’s now much easier for site visitors to understand our charity’s mission and find the information they’re looking for.The new site is now compatible with

tablet and mobile devices, contains specific sections for our key audiences (eg families, referrers, supporters) and has a more appealing design. It also features a new online application form for referrers, and users can now share content or print a page with the simple click of a button.Visit FamilyHolidayAssociation.org.uk today

and take a look around. We think you’ll like it.

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Technology is improving at lightning speed, and new ways to engage with and share online content are popping up all the time. It’s important that the Family Holiday Association adapts to these changes to ensure we’re making the most of every opportunity to drum up support, encourage engagement and ultimately raise vital funds for struggling families.



Meet… Coral Rushmer, content executive“I started working with the Family Holiday Association on a secondment from the TUI group of companies in February 2015. Part of my role has been to increase the charity’s presence on social media and increase online engagement.

“Following the success of Christmas Advent-ures and Seaside Memories in 2015, we will continue to run online campaigns throughout 2016. We will also be linking up with events going on outside of the charity, such as National Tell A Fairytale Day and Puzzle Day. For these, we have created original content that we will broadcast to new and existing audiences using ‘trending’ hashtags.”

Social climbing‘Social media’ is the buzz phrase of our time. Every day, millions of people in Britain are logging on to websites such as Facebook and Twitter to chat with friends, share photos and discuss the things in life that matter to them. For the Family Holiday Association, social media offers a great opportunity to engage with and encourage our supporters.In 2015, we saw a 38% increase in

followers on Twitter, and the number of messages we received leapt by 245%. On Facebook, there was a 33% rise in ‘likes’ from our fans. We’re particularly proud of our Christmas

Advent-ures social media campaign, which enabled visitors to our website to open the door of a ‘digital advent calendar’ each day

in the run-up to Christmas. To encourage people to get involved, we shared pictures on Twitter and Facebook, and this resulted in significant engagement – not least on Twitter, where the number of our followers jumped by 20% in response to this campaign alone. Another successful social media campaign

was Seaside Memories (see overleaf for more details). Our ‘digital scrapbook’ of memories led to a 13% increase in Twitter followers and a 5% rise in Facebook fans. A Seaside Memories book competition promoted online by our friends at Saga received 19,448 entries in total, with a Saga spokesperson commenting: “It’s the most successful campaign we’ve ever run. The previous most successful had 7,000 entries and yours got nearly 20,000!”

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We asked our supporters to tell us about their most cherished seaside memories. We wanted to give everyone a chance to share their heartwarming stories and show the wider world just how important trips to the seaside can be for children and their families. And we had some fantastic responses.Among the well-known and highly

esteemed supporters who contributed were broadcaster Eamonn Holmes, author and illustrator Mairi Hedderwick, celebrity chef Lesley Waters and pop star Alesha Dixon. Not only did they share their own personal and inspirational accounts of bygone days at the seaside, but we also received a charming poem, book extracts and even a tasty seaside recipe for everyone to enjoy.

Great resultsSeaside Memories took on its own momentum, and before long had become the focus of several pieces of high-quality national, regional and local coverage across print, online and broadcast media. In fact, the campaign helped us to develop more than 100 relationships with media outlets across the UK. Our online Seaside Memories scrapbook reached an audience of more than 9 million people in total, helping us to achieve our aim of raising the charity’s profile and spreading our key message.

Seaside MemoriesOne of our three key 40th Anniversary campaigns, Seaside Memories was all about highlighting the many benefits of trips to the seaside for families in desperate circumstances


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SANTA MONTEFIORE

Author

Santa Montefiore is a British author. She and her

husband live with their two children, Lily and Sasha

in London. Santa feels very nostalgic about the coast.

As a child she spent many summers in Cornwall and

particularly remembers the roar of the waves and the

various sealife. Santa shares her seaside memories.

SeasideThe seaside is massively important to me for many reasons. First of all, I feel very nostalgic about

the coast. As a child I spent many summers in Cornwall. The roar of the waves, the fascinating

way the tide goes in and out, the large variety of seabirds and of course the crabs and shrimp

hiding in rock pools have always made me wistful, in a nice way. I love the English coast. There’s

something rugged, wild and exciting about it. The wind whips of the ocean, the waves are always

huge and dramatic, the horizon vast and the water a deep, navy blue - and the sand is always

good for building. I adored the drama of Polzeath beach in Cornwall where our parents always

took us. It hasn’t changed since I was there as a child, forty years ago – and the ice cream van

still drives onto the sand and the ice cream tastes exactly the same.

As a young woman I fell in love on beaches. They were romantic places. We’d picnic by day, sit

around fires in the evenings, camp at night – and kisses on the beach always seemed to be more

tender. At university in Exeter the beach was our refuge from studies and lectures. We’d lunch in

pubs on terraces that looked out onto the harbour or take brisk walks up the sand in the

afternoons. They were always escapes – even now, as a grown up, I feel the excitement of being

on holiday when I’m by the sea. One day I’d love to have a house by the sea. I see myself growing

old by the sea.

On a deeper level the sea puts me in touch with who I really am, beneath the ego! When I

gaze out onto the vast horizon there’s something about the eternal nature of the sea that

resonates with the eternal part of me. It draws me away from my daily

troubles and turns my mind to the big questions of why I’m here. I need

that spiritual connection in my life and the seaside provides it. I think

we all need to feel that expansion – to gaze in wonder at the

magnificence of nature and know that there is something far bigger

than us out there, a higher purpose to what we’re all doing down

here. It puts me in touch with my heart – with the things that are

really important: Family and friends, really – after all, love is the

only thing that matters, isn’t it!

Song of Love and War by Santa Montefiore was published in August 2015

Seaside memoriesleaflet - V4.indd 4

22/10/2015 19:35


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Family Holiday Association supporters share their seaside memories

EAMONN HOLMESBroadcaster

That’s me in the middle, with my older brother Leonard and younger brother Brian. The location is Cushendall Beach, a small

village 60 miles from Belfast. It may have only been 90 minutes away from home, but it could have been in Greece – such was the

difference in environment and the pace of life.“The first thing that I always appreciated was the air and how different it smelled –

lighter, purer with a hint of salt or seaweed. It always made me appreciate how much

healthier being at the seaside is.“I never set foot on an aeroplane until I was 18, so until then the North Antrim

coastline provided all my seaside experiences, and I wouldn’t swap them for the world.

“

“

ALESHA DIXON Singer and presenterWhen I was a little girl, I never got to go on any family holidays, and that’s why I truly believe that the Family Holiday Association Seaside Memories appeal is such a fantastic campaign. Children need to go on holiday with their families and create wonderful memories that will live with them for the rest of their lives.

“ “


22/10/2015 19:357

JADE JAGGER Fashion, jewellery and interiors designer

My grandparents lived in Margate, so I spent a lot of my childhood on the beaches there, playing on the little slot machines and running up and down with the greyhounds that we had at the time. I always loved that beach. I’m now proud to be supporting the Family Holiday Association’s Seaside Memories campaign.

MAIRI HEDDERWICKAuthor and illustrator

Mairi created the popular Katie Morag series of children’s books (later a BAFTA-winning TV series), which she based on her own experiences of growing up in western Scotland.

I knew from the start that Katie would live by the seaside and, better still, on an island – an island that would have all kinds of seashores. There would be sand, of course, but also pebbles and rocks, shells and marram grass.My childhood home was by the stony edge of the inland sea of the Firth of Clyde. Summer holidays were at Machrihanish further south, where Atlantic rollers curved onto the sand dune-edged beach. Those early memories imbued in me a lifelong love of the sea and its relationship with the land in all its forms.I was a lucky child. Many town and city children never have those experiences. The Family Holiday Association gives such children the opportunity to journey to a new exciting world that just waits to be explored.

“

“ “


22/10/2015 19:35

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SANTA MONTEFIORE

Author

Santa Montefiore is a British author. She and her

husband live with their two children, Lily and Sasha

in London. Santa feels very nostalgic about the coast.

As a child she spent many summers in Cornwall and

particularly remembers the roar of the waves and the

various sealife. Santa shares her seaside memories.

SeasideThe seaside is massively important to me for many reasons. First of all, I feel very nostalgic about

the coast. As a child I spent many summers in Cornwall. The roar of the waves, the fascinating

way the tide goes in and out, the large variety of seabirds and of course the crabs and shrimp

hiding in rock pools have always made me wistful, in a nice way. I love the English coast. There’s

something rugged, wild and exciting about it. The wind whips of the ocean, the waves are always

huge and dramatic, the horizon vast and the water a deep, navy blue - and the sand is always

good for building. I adored the drama of Polzeath beach in Cornwall where our parents always

took us. It hasn’t changed since I was there as a child, forty years ago – and the ice cream van

still drives onto the sand and the ice cream tastes exactly the same.

As a young woman I fell in love on beaches. They were romantic places. We’d picnic by day, sit

around fires in the evenings, camp at night – and kisses on the beach always seemed to be more

tender. At university in Exeter the beach was our refuge from studies and lectures. We’d lunch in

pubs on terraces that looked out onto the harbour or take brisk walks up the sand in the

afternoons. They were always escapes – even now, as a grown up, I feel the excitement of being

on holiday when I’m by the sea. One day I’d love to have a house by the sea. I see myself growing

old by the sea.

On a deeper level the sea puts me in touch with who I really am, beneath the ego! When I

gaze out onto the vast horizon there’s something about the eternal nature of the sea that

resonates with the eternal part of me. It draws me away from my daily

troubles and turns my mind to the big questions of why I’m here. I need

that spiritual connection in my life and the seaside provides it. I think

we all need to feel that expansion – to gaze in wonder at the

magnificence of nature and know that there is something far bigger

than us out there, a higher purpose to what we’re all doing down

here. It puts me in touch with my heart – with the things that are

really important: Family and friends, really – after all, love is the

only thing that matters, isn’t it!

Song of Love and War by Santa Montefiore was published in August 2015


22/10/2015 19:35


Seaside walk weekWith the seaside at the heart of everything we do, Seaside Walk Week 2015 was a fitting way to celebrate 40 years of the Family Holiday Association

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The event took place during Spring Bank Holiday week in May and comprised a series of coastal walks around the UK, organised by the Family Holiday Association. We set out to encourage the nation to get outdoors and enjoy the Great British seaside.Our main aims were to raise awareness

of our charity’s work and objectives, increase engagement via social media and participation in fundraising activities, establish new relationships with professional and fundraising partners, and – of course – raise more vital funds for families in desperate circumstances.

Best feet forwardHaving secured the support of partner organisations including Visit England and Welcome To Yorkshire, we arranged official guided walks for each day of Seaside Walk Week, beginning in St Ives, Cornwall, on 23 May and ending in Ayr, Scotland, on 31 May. The walks gave everybody who came along an opportunity to share their enjoyment of our beautiful coast with family and friends, and raise money for struggling families through donations, sponsorship and registration fees.The event was promoted via a dedicated

website with downloadable content, PR activity, social media campaigns, slots in event-listings publications, and leaflets distributed to target groups including walking associations and seaside organisations. Ultimately, the campaign reached a total audience of almost 10 million people, thanks in part to coverage from major news outlets such as the London Evening Standard, BBC Radio Tees and BBC Radio Essex. Walkers on the beach near Culzean Castle, Ayr The Mayor of Conwy and walkers

The Mayor of St Ives helped get things started

Presented by


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An annual eventWe have now organised another Seaside Walk Week for 2016, again taking place across the May Spring Bank Holiday week. It will launch with an official walk in Scarborough, Britain’s first seaside resort, and end with another official walk as part of a grand finale in Weston-super-Mare, where countless families have enjoyed precious holiday time together for the past 150 years. In-between, people across the country can take part in their own walks following established local routes that will be available from the Seaside Walk Week website. During the week, corporate supporters will have the chance to join the charity for any of three further official ‘Thames Treasure Trail’ walks in London after working hours.

To find out more about how you and your organisation can get involved in Seaside

Walk Week 2016, visit seasidewalkweek.org.uk,

call Angie Watson on 020 3117 0662 or email

[email protected] The sun shone in Alnmouth

Beautiful coastal views on the Isle of Wight The Jurassic Coast walk included some hills!

Walkers and staff outside the Tower of London

In front of the YHA by Whitby Abbey


The Family Holiday Association has always had strong links with the travel and tourism industry, thanks to our shared desire to spread happiness, create cherished memories and improve well-being through holidays. The 500 for 500 campaign was launched to give us all the chance to work together, demonstrate compassion and deliver meaningful, tangible benefits. £500 is the average amount needed to fund

a seven-night break in a modest caravan by the British seaside for a family of four. So by raising 500 of these amounts, we and the industry can celebrate having generated 500 holidays over and above what our charity would normally be able to afford through our regular activities.

Campaign highlightThanks to support from new and existing industry partners, and from governing bodies, we’re currently well on our way to reaching our target of £250,000 – with more than 400 donations contributing in excess of £200,000. Here are just a few ways in which our partners have raised funds for the 500 for 500 campaign so far…

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Founders Joan and Patrick Laurance started our charity by asking 10 of their friends for £50 each. So in our 40th Anniversary year, we decided to ask 500 organisations and individuals in the travel and tourism industry for £500 each


A total of 24 brave souls from TUI and Kuoni took to the skies in sponsored skydives

Lucy Ling from TUI Travel cycled from London to Paris, supported by her former Vintage Travel colleagues

Greg Yeoman from the Tourism Society was among those cycling 100 miles in the Prudential RideLondon event

John de Vial from ABTA took on an epic 100km walk from London to Brighton


We’re not done yet!We would be delighted if you or your organisation could join our 500 for 500 campaign and help us achieve something amazing together. Your pledge of £500 (or any multiple of this amount) will help us to send more children and their families away on a much-needed break at the British seaside. If you would like to donate, you can do so by calling Michelle on 020 3117 0663 or by visiting FamilyHolidayAssociation.org.uk/500for500

A big thank you

We are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported the 500 for 500 campaign so far. And let’s not stop at 500 donations! We look forward to working with our industry partners to raise even more funds for struggling families in the future.

ABTA, AITO, All Leisure Holidays, Alpine Elements, Alternative Aquitaine, ALVA, Archipelago Choice

Ltd, Arnold Fisher Insurance, ATII, Avis, Barclays, Barrhead Travel, Big Give - various added together,

Blue Cube Travel, Blue Sail Consulting, British Travel Awards, C & M Recruitment, Canvas Holidays,

Carrier, Cavendish Ware, Citybond Suretravel, Classic Collection Holidays, Coach Tourism Council,

Communicate Recruitment Solutions, Co-operative Travel, Discerning Collection / Alternative Travel

Awards, Doherty IT Solutions, Elman Wall, Fiona Reece PR, First Data, First Great Western, Flagship

Consulting, GE Aviation, Gosh PR, Great Western Railway, Greg Yeoman, Haven Holidays, Hays

Travel, Heather Richardson / Jacada Travel, Helpful Holidays, Herbert Smith Freehills, Heremastaete

Ltd, Hoseasons, Hudson Sandler, IGLU, IMS UK, in2action, International Passenger Protection

(IPP), Ionian Island Holidays, Jenny Natusch, Jigsaw Holidays, Jim Carr, Jimmy Choo, John de

Vial, Keith Betton Consulting, Kennedys Law, Kings Park Capital, Knock Travel, Kuoni, Lesley Allan,

Live Holidays Ltd, Lucy Ling, Make it York, Matt Gill / Travel Bulletin, Michael Hirst OBE, Monarch,

NCL, Neil Taylor, Noel Josephides, Oliver Marketing, Oman Ministry of Tourism, Ontro / SkyClub,

Pippa Isbell, Plexus Law, Pope & Sons, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ramblers Worldwide Holidays,

Really Amazing Media, Rhapsody Tours, Roger Allard, Roger Allard Limited - All Leisure Holidays,

Roni Jay, Ronnie Simkins, Scott Dunn, ScotRail, Shearings Group, Silversea, Snowbizz, Sparkler,

Summit Advisory, Sunvil, SuperBreak, TAG Aviation, Tailored Travel Ltd, Tax Free World Association,

The Eventa Group, The Family Traveller, The Group Company, The Thinking Traveller Limited, TIIC,

To Tuscany, Tony Baldry, Tourism Alliance, Travel Editions, Travel Does Strictly, Travel Insurance

Facilities, Travel Network Group, Travel Specialist Consultancy, Travel Trade Consultancy Limited,

Travel Visa Company, Travel Weekly Group, TravelMole Awards 2014, TTG Media, TUI, Twin UK,

Usborne Publishing, Vintage Travel, Visit Kent, Worldwide Kids Company / Powder Byrne

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The team at Plexus Law organised a number of fundraising activities, including a climb of The Monument in central London


Time for teeIn April, more than 50 golfers took on 18 holes at one of the finest courses in the South East for the Family Holiday Association Golf Day. The event – in association with Citybond Suretravel and TravelMole at the Kingswood Golf and Country Club in Surrey – also included a three-course dinner and prize-giving, with all £8,600 raised going to our charity. A big thank you to all who took part!

Making a splashSailing fans made their way to Portsmouth Harbour Yacht Club in May for The Family Holiday Association Annual Regatta. We had 19 boats raising funds for our charity – more than in any previous Regatta. Competitors of all abilities enjoyed a full day’s sailing on the Solent, followed by prize-giving and a delicious afternoon tea. This event raised a whopping £34,685 for struggling families. Another great achievement!

Another incredible year

Keep on runningOur very own Team Starfish, comprising 25 runners, took part in the Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday 26 April, raising in excess of £30,000 for the Family Holiday Association. Elsewhere, six runners stepped out for the Morrisons Great North and Great South Runs in September and October, and we had 15 runners in the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London on 15 October. Collectively, they added another £50,000 to our pot. Fantastic results!

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Come rain or shine, our supporters were out in full force during 2015 raising vital funds for struggling families. Here are just a few of the many highlights…



Also in 2016, the Family Holiday Association has joined forces with adventure-travel company Exodus to give two people the chance to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal. Helen Richardson from Jacada Travel and Matt Gill from Travel Bulletin will make their way through the Himalayas to the famous base camp at the foot of the highest mountain on Earth, while at the same time raising vital funds to help struggling families in the UK and Nepal.

Fundra

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Reaching new heights in 2016We had 30 Team Starfish runners limber up for the Virgin Money London Marathon in April. The team is also preparing for this year’s Great North and Great South Runs, Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon and Prudential RideLondon. And we’re delighted to say that another Golf Day and Annual Regatta took place during May!

If you’d like to join in with one of our organised events, or organise your own event to raise money for struggling families, visit

FamilyHolidayAssociation.org.uk/support-us

You’ll find great fundraising ideas, a full list of upcoming events plus details of how we can support you with dedicated materials such as T-shirts and sponsorship forms.


Farewell to Fiona HillsWe were terribly sad to hear of the passing of Fiona Hills in October 2015. As the charity’s first administrator, Fiona was responsible for

the smooth running of the office and played an important role in establishing the Family Holiday Association as a registered charity in 1975. Fiona would meet regularly with Patrick and Joan in their sitting

room, alongside childcare professionals, to discuss family referrals. Applications for breaks were first submitted on a form developed by Fiona, and it was her job to pass on the good news to families who had been awarded a break. For many years, Fiona made inroads with trust and foundation funds, and applied successfully for grants. She also succeeded in getting articles published in the likes of The Guardian, The Times and various women’s magazines, helping to raise the profile of the Family Holiday Association enormously.Fiona’s compassion for families in need was matched by a great wit and sense of fun.

She will be dearly missed by all those who knew her.

Based in the Hampstead Garden Suburb area, the North London Friends of the Family Holiday Association was set up by charity founders Joan and Patrick Laurance when they stepped down from their full-time roles at the national office. The Friends continue to host fundraising events, including summer and Christmas fairs, and have raised many thousands of pounds for struggling families over the years.

Tea’s upIn September 2015, the North London Friends kindly offered to host a small gathering to thank people in their area who have supported the Family Holiday Association and its work over four decades. Guests enjoyed afternoon tea together, and shared their memories of helping families in terrible circumstances. Among the guests was founder Joan Laurance,

who received a scrapbook of photos and thank-yous from families we have helped, from the 1970s up to the present day. The book was compiled on behalf of everyone currently involved with the charity; it was our way of saying thank you to Joan for her role in getting us to where we are today.Cha

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To celebrate 40 years of the Family Holiday Association, the North London Friends hosted afternoon tea to bring together supporters from the charity’s early days


The best of friends


“Family holidays are a fundamental human right” Congratulations to the Family Holiday Association on 40 years of fantastic work. The charity’s success is testament to the huge impact even a simple day trip can have for struggling families, and I am delighted to continue my role as President as we set out to make an even bigger difference in the years to come.

In research published by the charity last June, more than half of those asked across the country said their happiest memories are of a family holiday, particularly by the seaside. These memories ranked higher than even a wedding day or the birth of a child. Like the memories, the happiness people felt during these times still resonates many years later. The ability to call upon past recollections in darker times has been aptly described by charity director John McDonald as a “happiness anchor”.The benefits of a break for those able

to go away through the Family Holiday Association are compelling. These families

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are not only weathering the storm of life, but have often been challenged by sudden bereavement, mental or physical health issues and prolonged hardship. They have then gone on to have their lives transformed by time away with their families, either at the seaside or on a simple day trip – frequently for the first time ever.From parents noting a renewed sense of

purpose in finding a job and improving their relationship with their partner, through to family members showing more affection towards each other, and improved attendance and performance of children in school — the results are powerful and irrefutable; not only for the individual families, but for society as a whole. As a board member of TUI AG, the world’s largest leisure, travel and tourism company, I’ve seen both sides of the divide between those who have access to breaks and those who don’t. I consider it my duty not only in my work, but also as a husband, father and fellow human being, to encourage everyone to regard family holidays not as a privilege but as a

fundamental human right.Today, there is no stereotypical family

unit – families come in all shapes and sizes and the concept of family is constantly evolving. But one thing that remains unchanged and will remain valid in perpetuity is that quality time spent with loved ones can bring immense joy, happiness and fulfillment. Healthier, happier families result in a healthier, happier society.Families are the binding common

denominator between each and every one of us; we are deserving of happiness, and so are our loved ones.

Peter Long President of the Family Holiday Association


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A problem shared...

Our largest supporter is TUI UK & Ireland, best known for its brands Thomson and First Choice. Our two organisations share the values of teamwork and responsible leadership to create precious memories through breaks away from home – and this has made us natural fundraising partners for 27 years and counting.In May 2015, to commemorate our 40th

Anniversary, TUI UK & Ireland pledged to raise an incredible £1 million for the Family Holiday Association over two years. Called ‘A Million Smiles’, the campaign is now nearing the end of its first year and is well on course to reach its interim target. We’re hugely grateful for the tireless efforts of staff from all parts of TUI in getting us to where we are. Here are just a few of the ways in which they have supported us over the past year…

Support from our corporate partners is vital. Without it, many families in terrible circumstances would go without the breaks they so desperately need. We work with many types of companies, big and small, in lots of different ways

Frighteningly good Teams of senior retail managers recreated pop videos including Michael Jackson’s Thriller, raising more than £4,500.

Rock on, TUI! A team from TUI Destination Services in Greece walked all 18km of Europe’s longest gorge, the Samaria Gorge in Crete, raising £800.

Reaching the sky Thirteen TUI daredevils took part in a tandem skydive, jumping from 12,000ft above Hinton Airfield in Northamptonshire, raising £9,300.

Pedal power More than 80 members of staff of all abilities took on 10-, 25- and 60-mile routes for the big TUI Bike Ride, raising more than £7,000.

SMILESA MILLION


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A Christmas dream come true As an extra-special treat for our 40th Anniversary, TUI gave 40 struggling families an experience they’d never forget: a trip to meet Father Christmas in Lapland. The families also got to enjoy sledging and husky rides. They were joined by pop star and Family Holiday Association supporter Alesha Dixon, who released the Christmas single People Need Love, with all proceeds going to our charity.


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During the past 12 months, the charity has marked its 40th Anniversary. From small beginnings helping a handful of families from a back bedroom in Pat and Joan Laurance’s north London home to what we have today has been quite a journey. Along the way we have provided tens of thousands of struggling families with access to something most of us take for granted – a simple break away from home. That’s a lot of happy memories for children and parents.

Despite helping almost 4,000 families last year, we still have a lot of work to do. Professor David Gordon of Bristol University recently helped us look at figures collated by the Office for National Statistics, and the results were shocking. His analysis showed that the number of children living in families unable to afford a simple break away from home has, over the past 10 years, increased by a horrendous 25%, to nearly 5 million – that’s almost equivalent to the total population of Scotland. This is why our work helping families

directly is so important. Not only does it offer immediate benefits to families, but it also provides tangible evidence about

the impact a break can deliver, and allows us to use that experience to get other organisations involved. For the past three years we have been

working with Visit Kent on a pilot scheme that has enabled hundreds of residents to access tickets for venues and attractions they otherwise might not have been able to afford. The scheme has since been replicated by Visit Hertfordshire and Visit York, while VisitScotland will soon begin its own scheme in Glasgow. Importantly, this will be an element in their latest and largest Spirit of Scotland campaign. The campaign marks the first time a

UK national tourist board has promoted social tourism as part of its work – a real breakthrough. At the campaign’s launch at Edinburgh Castle, we were able to speak directly to Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon about our charity and the importance of our partnership with VisitScotland. In November last year I was delighted

to attend our forth Holidays Matter conference in London, when we brought together a host of charities and travel industry companies to discuss how social tourism can improve the lives of people

“WE STILL HAVE MUCH WORK TO DO”

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currently missing out on the benefits of a simple holiday. We also spoke about its potential to significantly boost the domestic tourism industry, as demonstrated by programmes in mainland Europe. And, while we work hand-in-hand with

schools to help pupils’ families take term-time breaks where possible, we have used our unique experience to provide a clearer and more robust perspective when asked by the media to comment on the debate about the impact of school absences. Of course, it hasn’t all been good news.

In October last year I attended the funeral of the charity’s first ever employee. Fiona Hills, 81, an Oxford graduate and former journalist, began helping Pat and Joan in her role as the charity administrator in 1976. Fiona had amassed a wealth of stories about the charity’s early days and was a stalwart supporter of our work. We also said a fond farewell to two

long-standing trustees who stepped down from their roles, Penny Cushing and Pippa Isbell. We now welcome two outstanding replacements: Joelle Leader, Volunteering Director at Macmillan Cancer Support; and Norman Blissett, Director of Systems and Impact at the charity Family Action.

I have to say a special thank you to our major corporate supporter TUI Travel, who have supported our work for more than 27 years now. As an added bonus, the company did something quite special for Christmas 2015 when they flew 40 struggling families to Lapland for the day, enabling them to visit TUI’s own Snow Village inside the Arctic Circle, and to meet Santa Claus (the real one, naturally). It was an incredible day for all involved and a magnificent gesture. We have made some significant advances

in the past year and I believe that 2016 will see even more successes. This is the result of the work of a great team of trustees, staff and a huge number of volunteer referrers across the UK. But none of what has been achieved in the past year or the hopes we have for the future would be possible without the wonderful support we receive from so many supporters. On behalf of all the families that have benefited and those we aim to help, may I offer to them my sincerest thanks and appreciation.

John McDonald Director of the Family Holiday Association

John McDonald meeting Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

“Over the past 10 years,

the number of children living in

families unable to afford a break away from home

has increased by 25%,

to nearly 5 million. That’s almost the total

population of Scotland”


Council’s (Trustees’) Statement

The financial information shown here is a summary extracted from the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Family Holiday Association for the year ending 31 August 2015.

These summarised accounts may not contain sufficient information to allow for a full understanding of the financial affairs of the charity. For further information the Consolidated Financial Statements, the auditor’s report on those statements and the Council’s report should be consulted. Copies of these can be obtained from the Family Holiday Association, 3 Gainsford Street, London SE1 2NE. The Council approved the Consolidated

Financial Statements on 17 March 2016 and the annual report and accounts have been submitted to the Charity Commission.

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been audited and have been given an unqualified audit report by our auditors.

Signed on behalf of Council

Keith GrahamTreasurer17 March 2016

Auditors’ Statement

As auditors to the Family Holiday Association, we have reviewed the summarised accounts shown here and consider that they are consistent with the Consolidated Financial Statements on which we gave our opinion.

Carter Backer Winter LLP66 Prescot Street London E1 8NN


Our

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ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

Our Fin

ances


Summary statement of financial activities 2015 2014

£ £

Incoming resources

Donations and Gifts 1,358,995 1,537,301

Investment Income 3,863 3,639

Disposal of Fixed Assets 0 0

Total 1,362,858 1,540,940

Resources expended

Direct charitable expenditure 950,328 965,970

Fundraising and publicity 477,000 293,086

Governance 8,689 7,548

Total 1,436,017 1,266,604

Movement for the year (73,159) 274,336

Change in valuation of investments 379 3,758

Funds brought forward 1,047,249 769,155

Funds carried forward 974,469 1,047,249

Summary balance sheet

Fixed assets & investments 397,605 426,065

Net current assets 576,864 621,184

Total funds 974,469 1,047,249

Individual Donations 25.25%

Legacies 5.5%

Local Groups 4%

Trusts 11.5%

Corporates 42.25%

Events 11%

Investments & Interest 0.5%

Disposal of Fixed Assets 0%

Direct Charitable 66%

Fundraising & Publicity 33%

Governance 1%

Individual Donations 25.25%

Legacies 5.5%

Local Groups 4%

Trusts 11.5%

Corporates 42.25%

Events 11%

Investments & Interest 0.5%

Disposal of Fixed Assets 0%

Direct Charitable 66%

Fundraising & Publicity 33%

Governance 1%

Income

Expenditure


LIST

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ONO

RSCharitable Trusts & FoundationsALA Green Charitable TrustBarbara Cairns TrustBeatrice Laing TrustChalcroft Charitable TrustCHK Charities LimitedDavis Rubens Charitable TrustDischma Charitable TrustExcel FundFinderman TrustFresh Leaf Charitable FoundationG M Morrison Charitable TrustG W TrustGrangemore Securities CharityGreen Hall FoundationIan Askew Charitable TrustInstitute of Our Lady of MercyJackdaw TrustJohn James Bristol FoundationLloyd Thomas Charity for Women & GirlsMeetings Industry Meeting NeedsMiss W E Lawrence 1973 Charitable SettlementPears FoundationReed FoundationSaint Martin De Porres FoundationThe 29th May 1961 Charitable TrustThe Adint Charitable TrustThe Bothwell Charitable TrustThe C F C TrustStella Symons Charitable TrustThe David Stern TrustThe Ernest Kleinwort Charitable TrustThe ESG Robinson Charitable TrustThe Worshipful Company of GrocersThe H K C TrustThe Haberdashers’ CompanyThe Hart Charitable Trust

The Helianthus Charitable TrustThe Higgs CharityThe Hugh Symons Charitable TrustThe Joseph & Ann Slater Memorial FundThe Keith Coombs TrustThe Langtree TrustThe Maranatha Christian TrustThe Mary and Mike Monaghan TrustThe Michael & Ruth Jacobs Charitable TrustThe Michael and Harriet Maunsell Charitable TrustThe Morris and Margaret Kramer Memorial TrustThe Oldhurst TrustThe Paget TrustThe Patrick and Helena Frost FoundationThe Persula FoundationThe Pitt-Rivers Charitable TrustThe Rathlin TrustThe Rind FoundationThe Rosalyn & Nicholas Springer Charitable TrustThe S E C TrustThe Sir James Knott TrustThe Sir James Reckitt CharityThe Sir James Roll Charitable TrustThe Sunrise (Sidmouth) TrustThe Sydney Black Charitable TrustThe Taurus FoundationThe Traynor FoundationThe V L C TrustThe Weinstein FoundationThe White Family Charitable TrustThe Wirrel TrustThe Worshipful Company of Carmen Benevolent TrustWestminster Amalgamated Charity

The Major MTNH Wills Charitable TrustM R Cannon 1998 Charitable TrustCorporates & Associations14 GIS LtdABTAAdmiral Charity CardsAllianz Global AssistanceAll Leisure GroupAlpine Elements LtdAlternative AquitaineAlternative Travel AwardsALVAamazon.co.uk AssociatesArchipelago Choice LtdArnold Fisher InsuranceAssociation of Travel Insurance Intermediaries (ATII)Associated British PortsAssociation of Independent Tour Operators (AITO)Avis EuropeAutoelecsAWTEBarbro McAusland AssociatesBarclaysBarrhead Travel Service LtdBlue Cube TravelBlue Sail ConsultantsBritish Travel AwardsC & M Executive RecruitmentCanvas HolidaysCarrierCavindish WareCellet Travel Services LtdChannel View Publications LtdCharlie and the Chocolate FactoryCigna Insurance Services (Europe) LtdCitybond Suretravel

Classic Collection HolidaysCoach Tourism CouncilCoast InsuranceCommunicate Recruitement SolutionsCo-operative TravelDaily Telegraph PlcDiscerning CollectionDoherty IT SolutionsElman WallEveryclick LtdExodus TravelsExperience Travel GroupFamily TravellerFirst DataFirst Great WesternFiona Reece PRFlagship ConsultingFlemings HotelGE Aircraft EnginesGenentechgetabed.co.ukGosh PRGreat Western RailwayHaven HolidaysHealixHelpful HolidaysHerbert Smith FreehillsHF HolidaysHiggidyHildon Natural Mineral WaterHi-TecHoliday Extras LimitedHudson SandlerIgluIn2ActionInternational Passenger Protection (IPP)Ionian Island HolidaysISP Ship Services


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RSJigsaw HolidaysJimmy ChooJetglow Aircraft Refurbishments LtdJigsaw HolidaysKanika Hotels and ResortsKeith Betton ComsultingKennedys LawKings Park CapitalKirker TravelKuoni Travel LtdLive Holidays LtdmadeMake it YorkMake My Day Better LtdMalta Tourist OfficeMeynell Family Properties LtdMillstream Underwriting LtdMonarchNational ExpressNational TrustNational Union of Teachers (South Glos)NCLOliver MarketingOman Tourist OfficeOntro TravelPenningtonsPlexus LawPope & SonsPowder ByrnePremier CoverPricewaterhouse Cooper LLPRamblers Worldwide HolidaysReactive Claims LtdReally Amazing MediaRentokil Group PlcRepresentation PlusRhapsody ToursRowland Brothers

SeasaltScott DunnShearings GroupSnowbizzSparklerStones SolicitorsSummit AdvisorySunsailSunvilTAG AviationTeach ICTThames Travel LtdThe DorchesterThe Eventa GroupThe Group CompanyThe Guild of Registered Travel GuidesThe Thinking Traveller LimitedTigress ProductionsTo Tuscany LtdTourism AllianceTourism SocietyTravel EditionsTravel Insurance FacilitiesTravel Insurance Industry Committee (TIIC)Travel Network GroupTravel Specialist ConsultancyTravel Trade ConsultancyTravel Visa CompanyTravel Weekly GroupTravelMoleTTG MediaTUI Travel PLCTUI UK & IrelandTwin UKUsborne Publishing LtdVintage TravelVisitEnglandVisit Kent

VisitScotlandVisit York / Make It YorkWaitroseWelcome to YorkshireWith PRWorldwide Kids CompanyYHALocal PartnersNorth London Friends of the Family Holiday AssociationRotherham Holiday AidSheffield Family Holiday FundPresidentPeter LongLife PresidentLady Mary MumfordPatronsJoan Laurance, FounderChris BrowneJohn CarterSir Paul ColeridgeCardinal Cormac Murphy O’ConnorMansukh GanatraLibby PurvesRuth Rendall (died May 2015)Sir Jonathan SacksPrunella ScalesCouncil MembersAlison Rice, ChairRichard Clegg, Vice ChairKeith Graham, TreasurerJohn Appleby (joined 2016)Norman Blissett (joined 2015)David BurlingFelicity Clarkson (resigned 2016)Penny Cushing (resigned 2015)Pippa Isbell (resigned 2015)Joelle Leader (joined 2015)

Julia Ridgeway (joined 2016)Jonathan ScottKristina WallenAmbassadorsSimon AllanRoger AllardSir Tony BaldryKeith BettonIan ChapmanAlison CryerSteve DunlopGiles HawkeDerek JonesNoel JosephidesAllan LambertSandra Matthews-MarshLisa McAuleyGraham McKenzieJackie MurphyDeborah PottsVictoria SandersRonnie Simkins

Accountants Carter Baker Winter 66 Prescot Street, London E1 8NN

Solicitors Berwin Leighton Paisner Adelaide House London Bridge, London EC4R 9HA

Bankers Barclays Bank plc 99 Hatton Garden, London EC1 8DN

CAF Bank Kings Hill West Malling, Kent ME19 4TA

Investment managers HSBC Investment Bank plc 6 Bevis Marks, London, EC3 3JQ


CASE

STUDIES

“For once we had memories not tinged with sadness”

Tom and Rebecca had been trying to be parents for such a long time, so they were delighted with the birth of their daughter, Maria, in 2007. Sadly, Rebecca has never been able to get over losing two children prior to Maria, and her severe depression and anxiety make it difficult for her to find and retain work. In fact, she is rarely able to leave the house. Tom tries his best to be strong for everyone, but it’s hard – and financially it’s a struggle surviving on one wage. Tom says: “When I had to give up our car,

I felt like we had lost a lifeline. That’s when I decided I needed help too and started to talk to a family counsellor, Kate. She told me about the Family Holiday Association and I was dubious at first, as accepting charity felt like a blow to my pride, but once she explained, I realised that a break was exactly what our family needed. “Kate referred us to the charity and I felt

over the moon when we were accepted. The look on Maria’s face when we told

her we were going to the seaside was priceless.” With support from our charity, the family travelled by train to Skegness for a few days in a caravan by the sea. Tom continues: “For a few wonderful

days, the pressure of life was lifted, Rebecca looked brighter, Maria laughed and played, and we all felt happy. The break lightened our load for a while, and for once gave us memories not tinged with sadness. For that, I am so very thankful.”

Happier familiesMeet two more families whose lives have changed for the better, thanks to a simple Family Holiday Association break

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Skegness pier

The Jolly Fisherman statue in Skegness


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All the fun of the fair The Glynne family were victims of a severe car crash in November 2014 and it is taking time for them to get back on their feet. One of the children, aged four, nearly lost her life in the accident, and has had to endure a series of hospital appointments and physiotherapy trips ever since. Mum and Dad have been struggling financially due to Dad’s small business suffering as a result of periodic absences caused by his health.The Glynnes are a proud family who do not

like to ask for help, but have found support from eight-year-old Jack’s teacher Matthew invaluable. Matthew says: “I decided to get in touch with the Family Holiday Association as I thought a break would give the family the chance to create some fun memories, hopefully replacing the lingering memories of the car accident.” Thanks to free tickets from our friends at

the Gulliver’s Kingdom theme park, we were able to provide a fun-filled day out for the Glynnes as part of a coach trip with other families. Matthew says: “The children enjoyed the train rides and swings. They

couldn’t believe that they could enjoy as many rides as they liked. ‘Can we really go on everything for free?!’ asked Jack!”

While the stories on these pages are all true, names and some other details have been altered to protect families’

confidentiality. Images are for illustration purposes only.

The JCB Zone at Gulliver’s Kingdom


Legacy &

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We’ve achieved a lot in our 40th Anniversary year, and none of it would have been possible without the continued generosity of our dear supporters. We helped more struggling families in 2015 than in any other 12-month period in our history – but, sadly, we know that for every family awarded a break, there are many more who will never get the chance to see the seaside or go on a simple day out with their loved ones.

If you would like to make a donation to ensure we help even more families in the coming year, there are many ways you can do this. However much you can afford to give, you can be certain that it will go a long way in enabling struggling families to access a break.

Leave a gift in your Will By arranging to leave a gift in your Will

to the Family Holiday Association, you

can rest assured that your generosity

will live on after you and that families in

need of a break will continue to benefit.

Writing a Will means that your wishes are

known, with your possessions taken care

of. We know that this is a big decision,

and making any changes to it are just as

important. That is why we always suggest

that you consult a solicitor.

You can leave a gift in your Will in three ways:

Residuary legacy

This is all, or a share of, the whole amount

left of the estate and property that remains

after all other payments have been made

Pecuniary legacy A gift of a fixed sum of money

Specific legacy A specific object or gift of property

If you already have a Will, you can add

a codicil to make a simple change. Your

solicitor will help you with the wording

that’s right for your circumstances.

To request a legacy pack, or if you would simply like to notify us of your legacy, please call Michael Smout on 020 3117 0667 or email

[email protected]. You can also write to Legacies,

Family Holiday Association, 3 Gainsford Street, London SE1 2NE. You can be sure that all matters will be treated in the strictest confidence.

We need your help


Make a regular donation

The best way to help us continue our work

is to start a regular donation. Having a

steady and reliable income enables us to

plan ahead, ultimately giving our families

and the people who refer them to us peace

of mind that the support they rely on

won’t suddenly disappear. Alternatively,

you can make a single donation to us at

any time.

Donating in memoriam Donating in memory is an excellent

way to help keep alive the kindness and

good nature of a loved one who has

passed away. If someone close to you

was a supporter of the Family Holiday

Association, or simply wanted to do

something to make the world a fairer

place, then setting up a memorial fund

is a great way to celebrate their life and

continue their generosity.

The easiest way to start donating is to visit

FamilyHolidayAssociation.co.uk/support-us/donate and fill out our quick and

secure online form. On our website you’ll also find more information about the

different ways you can support us, with lots of fundraising ideas and details of how

your money will be spent. Alternatively, you can write to us at Donations,

Family Holiday Association, 3 Gainsford Street, London SE1 2NE, email [email protected] or call 020 3117 0660. leg

acy &

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For events enquiries, call Michelle Shepherd on 020 3117 0663, or email [email protected]

For general partnership enquiries, call Angie Watson on 020 3117 0662, or email [email protected]

FamilyHolidayAssociation.org.ukFamily Holiday Association 3 Gainsford Street London SE1 2NE reg charity number 800262

@famholidayassoc facebook.com/famholidayassoc

2015 annual review - family holiday association

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