Help families have holiday with The Mirror's Give Kids A Seaside Smile campaign
Over the next few weeks millions of us will set off on our summer holidays.
For some it will a trip to the seaside or a break in the countryside. For others it will be a week lazing by the pool, a cruise or a family adventure under canvas.
We will bring back memories, souvenirs and, if we are lucky, a suntan.
But thousands of children in Britain will not get a summer holiday this year. They will not get to play on the beach, build a den in the woods or each fish and chips on the prom.
In cash-strapped Britain, 2.6 million families cannot afford a one-week break at any time of year.
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And there are 1.46 million families struggling to pay for just a day out together, an Office for National Statistics study found. With money so tight it is not surprising that nearly one in five children in England have never been to a beach. That is why the Mirror has once again teamed up with the Family Holiday Charity to give kids a seaside smile. Our summer appeal is raising money to give hundreds of children a summer break.
Samantha Peat with McKenzie, seven, Khaleesi, four, and Jonny, three (FLASHFOTO)The Family Holiday Charity helped 1,854 families, including, 4554 children, go on holiday last year. Half of the families they support have experienced poor mental health, a third have experienced domestic abuse and one in five are young carers.
For nearly half of them (49%) it was the first time they had ever been away. Four years’ ago kind-hearted Mirror readers raised thousands of pounds to help families go on holiday. Among them were Samantha Peat and her children Mckenzie, Khaleesi and Johnny who enjoyed a three-night break at Haven’s Devon Cliffs holiday park. The family spent hours in the pool – which has a flume, play area and multi-lane water ride.
“It was brilliant,” Samantha said afterwards, “We could also see the sea from where we were staying. I felt so privileged. It’s important children get a break from normal life. You learn so much on holiday – and it’s nice to just have fun.”
Kat Lee, chief executive of the Family Holiday Charity, said: “A £3 ice cream is so often associated with being away on a summer holiday and relaxing and enjoying time together with friends and loved ones, but for so many families across the UK, this just isn’t possible.
Mirror is backing campaign“Many of the families we support are juggling additional caring responsibilities, bereavement, long term illness, isolation and mental health challenges, or are survivors of abuse.
“For them, that moment of peace that comes as they eat an ice cream at the seaside is just out of reach.
“Donating the cost of an ice cream will make a massive impact on children and families across the UK, offering them a holiday from the day-to-day and giving them confidence and hope for the future – thank you for sharing whatever you can.
“Even a short break away makes all the difference for everyone – just a change of scenery and a bit of space makes all the difference to all of us.
“For many families a holiday is completely out of reach and for the families we support, around 50% have never had a holiday.
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“We’re here for families facing some of life’s most difficult situations – like illness, isolation, bereavement, challenging caring responsibilities and more.
“We’re here to offer them a break from the day to day and a chance to refresh and reset. Families who have a holiday tell us that the break gives them confidence, and a sense of hope for the future.
“Whatever you can donate will make a real difference to children, young people, mums, dads and carers and give them a gift that will last a lifetime in memories.”
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