Holidays for Children
A list of holidays and grants for children with cancer.
Download list of holidays/grants
Barretstown
Barretstown is a specially-designed camp that provides Therapeutic Recreation programmes for children with serious illnesses, and their families.
Excellent, unobtrusive medical supervision helps children with cancer and other diseases forget illness, learn to have fun and rebuild their confidence and self-esteem.
Our programmes take place at a fairytale castle in the beautiful foothills of Ireland's Wicklow Mountains.
Camp Quality UK
Free holidays for children with cancer from 5 to 16 years of age. Two age groups - 5 to 10 years and 11 to 16 years, with separate holidays for each group. Activities vary but include such favourites as abseiling, sailing, archery, canoeing, rock climbing, swimming, horse riding, and hot air balloon rides. Less strenuous pursuits include box games, crafts, entertainments, and visits to leisure parks. All activities are supervised by properly trained and qualified staff. The programme is always structured in such a way as to cater for all abilities and disabilities.
Christian Lewis Trust
UK breaks at 4 static caravans on specially chosen sites situated on the coast in Wales. Both Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris have linked up with the charity to provide a unique programme of supervised and special facilities.
CLIC Sargent
Malcolm Sargent House in Ayrshire offers family breaks and specialist weekends for young people, siblings, and bereaved families. All meals are provided. There are a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages - including cycling, arts, crafts and team games organised within the house. Families can also opt for one of our luxury self-contained caravans in Exmouth (Devon), Pagham (West Sussex), Fleetwood (Lancashire) and Filey (Yorkshire).They are located on well-equipped holiday parks, close to beaches and small towns. Each caravan has three bedrooms and sleeps up to six people. For information on CLIC Sargent Holidays, contact the CLIC Sargent Holiday Administrator on 01292 671233 or by email
Donnas Dream House
Provides holidays provides free holidays in Blackpool throughout the year for terminally ill children and their families. With the magnificent playroom and the four themed apartments Donna’s Dream House brings a sense of fun into children’s lives. These children would be those who are unable to take holidays in Florida, or will be recommended for placement by Hospice staff, The Kensington Foundation, Hospitals and many other sources. There is also now a new teenage unit offering holidays for older patients.
The Ellen MacArthur Trust
The Ellen MacArthur Trust takes young people aged between 8-18 sailing to help them regain their confidence, on their way to recovery from cancer, leukaemia and other serious illness for four day periods. The boats used are 38ft to 45ft cruising yachts, ideal for carrying groups of children, each night the boats stay at a different port and the children and crew live and sleep on board. Each voyage is lead by experienced, professional sailors who are used to working with children. There is a high adult to child ratio - at least three adults to five children. For medical support, a nurse travels with the children, with on-shore back-up from a paediatrician with experience of oncology practice.
The Joshua Foundation
Provide holidays and experiences for children and their families where the child is diagnosed with terminal cancer. The Joshua Foundation effectively 'adopts' children and their families providing them with on-going experiences and memories not just a one-off experience.
The Kensington Foundation
The Daisy Chain Project offers accommodation for respite breaks to families caring for a sick or disabled child, families coping with limited means in difficult circumstances and families rebuilding their lives after the loss of a child.
Over the Wall Gang Camp
For children affected by cancer and other serious illnesses. It is the only residential Camp in the UK modelled after Paul Newman’s renowned The Hole in The Wall Gang Camp. OTW gives children one glorious week of having fun, making friends, meeting new challenges and rebuilding confidence.
Youth Cancer Trust
Charity based in Bournemouth. It provides free, fun activity based holidays for young people (aged 14 to 25) suffering with cancer or any malignant disease from anywhere in the UK or who are patients of any UK hospital.
Not specifically cancer charities but other organisations provide holidays including:
Camp Simcha
Providing family retreats, special wishes and support for Jewish children with serious illnesses.
Happy Days Children’s Charity
UK holidays provided if the family claims state benefits.
HCPT The Pilgrimage Trust
Provides holiday to Lourdes for 2000 children with special needs or disabilities during Easter Week.
Katie’s Ski Tracks
Providing skiing holidays for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, be it through a terminal illness, sickness, disability or extreme social problems.
Wish-granting charities in the UK
Children’s Wish Foundation International
Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity
Willow Foundation (for ages 16-40)
Other forms of support
Cyclists Fighting Cancer
Provides bicycles for children who have had cancer and their siblings and children of adults who have been battling the disease.
The Family Fund
Provides grants to families with severely disabled or seriously ill children.
Whizz-Kidz
Customised wheelchairs, tricycles and other specialised mobility equipment - Whizz-Kidz Is a specially-designed camp that provides Therapeutic Recreation programmes for children with serious illnesses, and their families. Excellent, unobtrusive medical supervision helps children with cancer and other diseases forget illness, learn to have fun and rebuild their confidence and self-esteem.
Events updated - see below.
We now have a NACCPO Supporters Group on Facebook! Come and join us!
Friday 20th June 2008
Fancy Dress 80’s Disco at Perkins Social Club, Tixall Road, Stafford. Starts 8pm. Following the huge success of our 70’s disco last year we are holding another fun-packed evening! Tickets £6 adults, £3 children to include hot food. Auction and raffle on the night – prizes/lots always wanted. Entrance by ticket only – contact Rachael on 01785 603763
Saturday 28th June 2008
Bone Cancer Research Trust Patients and Supporters Conference Leicester Hilton Hotel.
For more details contact the Bone Cancer Research Trust
Friday 29th August 2008
World Wedding Dress Day -
Have fun and raise funds for NACCPO by wearing your Wedding Dress on 29th August 2008 for World Wedding Dress Day organised by Take a Break magazine - we have loads of ideas to make your fundraising easy - contact Rachael on 01785 603763 or email: ro@naccpo.org.uk for great ideas and support!!
Saturday 18th October 2008
‘Good Cause’ Rock Band evening at the Amasal Sports and Social Club, St. Alban’s Road, Stafford. Entrance by ticket only – this band is very poplular so we advise you to buy tickets early!
Contact Rachael on 01785 603763 for tickets/details.
Tuesday 21st October 2008
‘Next One’ Fashion Show at Perkins Social Club, Tixall Road, Stafford. Starts 8pm. High street labels at low prices. Xmas/Winter clothing bargains!
Tickets £2.50 available from Rachael on 01785 603763
Friday 21st November 2008
70's Fancy Dress Disco at Perkins Social Club, Tixall Road, Stafford. Tickets are £6 for adults, £3 for children including hot food. Prizes for the best adult and child fancy dress. There will also be an auction, raffle and tombola on the night. Entrance by ticket only - call Rachael on 01785 603763 - book early to avoid disappointment!
Information on our Member Groups
We extend heartfelt thanks to the following supporters. Without you the charity would be unable to continue its work with and on behalf of the families of children/young adults with cancer:
International Master chess player Loz Cooper finds time in between chess coaching and competitions to raise funds for us via sponsored matches, exhibitions and chess simuli. Loz is also ranked No.1 Chess player in Staffordshire but still affords time to help us despite his busy schedule.
For more information on chess coaching sessions please email: Loz Cooper
Detective Sgt Sue Bufton and colleagues at the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, Staffordshire Police HQ for their large donation following their Annual fundraising Ball and the creation of this new NACCPO website.
Evolution – for their on-going regular support.
Extended School Activities for their continued support of NACCPO
Macmillan Cancer Support - NACCPO were awarded a grant from Macmillan Cancer Support in April 2007 to support member group networking activities across the UK.
Next One Fashion Shows – these have been a regular fundraiser for us with a great deal of help from Tom and his team.
Perkins Social Club, Tixall Road, Stafford – For the numerous occasions we have held fundraising events at this venue.
For details of room hire for Weddings/parties etc. contact Linda Richards on 01785 215924
The Prop Store of London – for their regular generous donations of items for our annual fundraiser.
Spaceport Space Museum on The Wirral - for a very generous donation following the Star Wars weekend of 31 March -1 April 2007
There are many individuals that give up their spare time to support us.
Without them we would not be able to undertake the fundraising activities that are so important to the charity - many thanks to you all.
Below are some of the current activities that NACCPO board members are participating in:
The Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) Publications Committee
You can help support our work by donating on-line or by shopping on-line.
