This web site was launched on 10th Nov 2009 with a starting donation of £50,000 in our Plastic "Bookit"
As we process your hotel room bookings and collect commission payments from the hotel, these commissions (our Holiday Money) will be added to the Bookit.
As the name suggests, this Holiday Money will be used to fund holidays and breaks for the disabled, disadvantaged, underprivileged and critically ill - both young and old.
This is our starting point
In the short term it is not our intention to award Holiday Money directly to deserving individuals and families, we don't currently have the resources to do this. Instead we have decided to work with a number of relevant charities and support organisations and allocate our Holiday Money in conjunction with their expertise.
We are currently spending with a number of organisations and also speaking with others to identify those in need of our Holiday Money (see below)
As we spend the Holiday Money, we will publish summary details of where the money went. We want to account for every penny we earn from your room bookings through us and in the coming months we hope to have a system in place that not only summarises what has been achieved but will tell every individual or business booking with us how much commission we earned from their booking, the people who benefited, why they deserved a break and the amount of Holiday Money we spent.
So whether you book a budget hotel for one night, a B&B for the weekend, two nights in a London on business or a 5 star break in Europe - every booking you make through us will help someone deserving get a break to.
And remember, when you book with us you pay exactly the same price as going direct
The Family Holiday Association works to promote the quality of family life for those parents and children who experience disadvantage as a result of poverty through the provision and by promoting access to holidays and other recreational activities.
Their objectives are:-
To increase the number of families that gain access to holidays.
To research and promote the value of holidays for families experiencing disadvantage.
To increase awareness of the scale and scope of the problem of lack of access to holidays.
DREAM-A-WAY's aim is to send local people with physical and learning difficulties on holidays and day trips - whether it is fulfilling a lifetime dream, experiencing great opportunities or just having 'time out' from daily routines. People of all ages and from around the South West are helped in every way possible to have a Dream-A-Way holiday.
The volunteer committee members use their time to raise money to fund the trips and also actively seek out opportunities to help people throughout the South West.
The chance for Dream-A-Way committee members and friends to raise money and help others has always been the driving force behind the charity. What makes this charity so extra special is that the volunteers provide their time and services freely - and that the charity does not incur any administration costs.
The Youth Cancer Trust (YCT) is a national charity which provides free activity based holidays for young people between the ages of 14 and 30 who are living in the United Kingdom and Irish Republic, or are patients of hospitals in the UK and are suffering with cancer. The holidays take place all year round at Tracy Ann house in Bournemouth. Established in 1997, the YCT welcomes over 200 young cancer patients each year for a fun packed holiday in Bournemouth.
The Youth Cancer Trust helps boost confidence, provide invaluable 'fun' and stress-free' periods and more than anything else brings normality and hope back into the young peoples lives.
CHICKS aims to provide as many disadvantaged children as possible with the life enhancing experience of a free respite break away in the countryside at one of our centres in Devon or Cornwall.
CHICKS helps children from a variety of different backgrounds, just a few examples are children growing up in poverty, children of prisoners, and children who have been abused, either physically, emotionally or sexually.
CHICKS also provides breaks for young carers. Find out more about the children CHICKS help here
Break has been helping vulnerable people in your local community for over 40 years - giving them a break to improve their lives, and break the cycle of despair.
Break provides a range of care services for children, adults and families in need. In particular they provide fully inclusive, supported holidays and respite care for children and adults with learning disabilties and special care needs. It is our intention to help fund a number of holidays and short breaks over the coming months.
Bolton Lads and Girls Club is a remarkable charity that provides a warm safe environment for children of all ages to realise their true potential - "far better than hanging about on the streets." Visit their web site to find our more about the scope of their activities. We are currently discussing with the club how we can supply funding for disabled and very disadvantaged children to benefit from short term breaks and holidays.