Holidays and wishes
When your child is having any type of treatment for retinoblastoma it’s a challenging time for the whole family, so it can help to unwind and spend time together away from the hospital. There are many organisations which offer holidays to families whose children are having – or have had – treatment for cancer, or have a visual impairment. Holidays are often subject to availability so check each organisation’s criteria before applying.
General breaks
4 Cancer Group
Part of the 4 Cancer Group, the Group organises days out and short breaks for families affected by cancer in the UK and Europe. Financial contributions may be required.
Contact:
0300 030 4444 or via website
Crackerjacks Children's Trust
Respite holiday accommodation in Somerset for families of children under 17 that have a registered disability.
Contact:
0300 124 0122 or
info@crackerjacks.org.uk
Hannah's Appeal
Fun breaks for children with cancer and life-limiting illnesses at camps on Hayling Island and in the New Forest area.
Contact:
023 9226 7899 or
pam@hannahsappeal.org
Kids Cancer Charity
Offers holidays in luxury caravans in Wales and the New Forest, trips to Disneyworld Florida and three-day breaks at Disneyland Paris.
It’s advisable to speak to your support worker first as it may impact on your ability to apply for a Wish at a later stage.
Contact:
01792 480500 or enquiries@kidscancercharity.org
Oliver Curd Trust
Provides fully equipped holiday caravans in East Sussex for children with cancer and their families.
Contact:
07856 119 151 or
enquiries@theolivercurdtrust.co.uk
Ben's Den
Ben’s Den is a dedicated children’s charity based in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. The aim of the charity is to support the families of children fighting leukaemia or cancer, by gifting them a free holiday.
Contact:
Visit their website
Family Fund
Offers a range of grants which can be used for breaks in the UK (eg Butlins, Haven) and abroad (eg Inspire).
Contact:
01904 550055
or info@familyfund.org.uk
Jack's Journey
A family-oriented charity in Cumbria that supports families facing childhood cancer. They offer financial aid and holiday accommodations.
Contact:
Via the website or hello@jacksjourney.org.uk
Lennox Children's Cancer Fund
Offering respite breaks in a lodge in the New Forest and a cottage on the Norfolk Broads.
Contact:
01708 734366 or info@lennoxccf.org.uk
Sunny Days Fund
Holiday homes at Haven Orchard’s Holiday Park, Essex, for families of children with serious medical conditions. Applications usually via support worker, but can be direct.
Contact:
01376 528 376 or trustees@sunnydaysfund.org.uk
Calum's Cabin
Offers holiday facilities in stunning surroundings on the Isle of Bute and in Ayrshire, Scotland.
Contact:
Contact 07544 979538
or enquiries@calumscabin.com
Fulfil The Wish
Organised group holidays for families of any child aged 5-17 with a lifelong complex disability that has not had a holiday wish granted by any other charity, and not been to Disneyland Paris before is eligible to apply.
Contact:
07967 727 111
or info@fulfilthewish.org
Jak's Den
Offers events, activity days, teen days and so on at five sites in Scotland to children and young people age 0-25 with cancer and related illnesses, their family, friends.
Contact:
01506 412302 or info@teamjak.org.uk
LOOK
A charity supporting visually impaired children and their families. Members can hire a two bedroom holiday flat in Scarborough at low cost.
Contact:
07464 351 958 or info@look-uk.org
Thomas Ball Childrens Cancer Fund
Offers free holidays in Hampshire to children suffering from cancer and their families, as well as three-day trips to Disneyland Paris.
Contact:
01494 890157 or
tomballcharity@aol.com
Wishes and special days
For families of children who are being treated at the Royal London Hospital, Wishes are organised through the play specialist. Families of children who are being treated at Birmingham Children’s Hospital can apply through their support worker.
Cyclists Fighting Cancer
The charity helps children and young people living with cancer across the UK regain their physical fitness, improve mental wellness and reduce social isolation by giving them adapted bikes.
Contact:
Email awards@cyclistsfc.org.uk
Les Hoey MBE DreamMaker Foundation
Grants wishes for children and their siblings in Scotland going through treatment for life threatening illnesses, and offers holiday homes at Craig Tara holiday park in Ayr.
Contact:
01698 372 052 or contact@leshoeymbedreammakerfoundation.org
Fatboys Charity
A small charity that provides gifts to children suffering from cancer and other life threatening illnesses.
Contact:
Nominations via the Facebook page.
Make a Wish
Grants wishes to enrich the lives of children aged 3-17 years, fighting life-threatening conditions. Referrals can be made direct or via your support worker.
Contact:
0118 304 3368 or referrals@makeawish.org.uk
Free Kicks Foundation
Provide football-related activities for ill, bereaved and disadvantaged children, giving them a day to remember with their favourite football club.
Contact:
Referral via your Support Worker.
Rays of Sunshine
Offers children a chance to make a dream come true through granting wishes and organising outings and events for children with illnesses.
Referrals for children aged 3-18 years can be made by your Rb team or direct.
Contact:
020 8782 1171 or
wishes@raysofsunshine.org.uk
Check out other wish charities at BDFA
Holidays for older children, teens and young adults
Barretstown Ireland
Free, specially designed family, teen and sibling camps for children (infant to 17) and their families living with a serious illness.
Contact:
00 353 4586 4115 or info@barretstown.org
Teens Unite
Provide activities and meet-ups for young people aged 13-24 who have had cancer. They also offer free residential ‘Activity Stays’ for over 18s. As well as monthly events specifically for parents and siblings of the young people they support.
Contact:
01992440091 or info@teensunite.org
Willow Foundation
Willow works with seriously ill people aged 16-40 to arrange uplifting and unforgettable Special Days. To be eligible you must be receiving treatment for a life-threatening illness.
Contact:
01707 259777 or info@willowfoundation.org.uk
Ben Saunders Foundation
Supporting young people aged 16-24 with cancer to have a holiday in one of three holiday homes in the Cotswolds.
Contact:
Over The Wall
Offers residential activity camps for children and young people aged 8-17 currently receiving treatment for a range of serious conditions.
Siblings and family camps are also available. They also run Camp in the Cloud, an innovative online camp for families who have a child or young person aged from 0 to 17 years, who is either currently having treatment or have finished treatment in the last 3 years. One child in the family must be aged 6 to 17 years.
Contact:
02392 477110 or info@otw.org.uk
Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust
Rebuilds confidence after cancer, using sailing to support, empower and inspire young people aged 8-24 in embracing their future with optimism. Contact your support worker for information.
Contact:
01475 672770 or info@emcancertrust.org
Revitalise
Provides short breaks and holidays (respite care) for disabled people and carers aged 18 or over.
Contact:
0303 303 0145 or bookings@revitalise.org.uk
Youth Cancer Trust
Offers free, activity based holidays in Dorset for people aged 14-30 with cancer, or in remission for up to five years, or living with the late effects of having had cancer as a teenager or young adult.
Contact:
01305 584 064 or admin@yct.org.uk
General sources of info
There are other sources of supported breaks you can find, such as hospital and local charities. Some of the treatment hospitals have associated cancer charities which support local children. A number of these support groups also have caravans which you can use, so it is worth finding out what your local cancer charity can do. You can find more local trusts and charities offering support on the Turn2Us website.
Other possible sources of information about funded or reduced cost breaks include:
- Your local authority website
- Your trade union or military association
- RNIB has a guide to holidays for blind and partially sighted people
Please bear in mind that holiday/wish offers and criteria can vary due to a charity or organisation’s financial status. Some charities offer a complete package but with others you may have to contribute towards the costs – for example you may need to organise and buy your own flights, arrange holiday insurance or make travel arrangements. Often the organisation can assist in doing this so it’s worth asking about all of their services.
CHECT is unable to recommend specific organisations and is not responsible for the content of their websites.
Got any questions?
Contact the support team today