Ashbourne News Telegraph

Be One in a Million by helping boost kids’ charity

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A Much-loved charity that gives free breaks to disadvanta­ged children from Derbyshire is asking for help as it plans to reopen following the coronaviru­s pandemic.

Like other charities, Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre has been struggling to raise money from fundraisin­g activities such as the annual cycle ride to Skegness, steam train ride and May Ball.

As a result, it has now decided to ask people to join its One in A Million scheme to help raise much needed funding as it does not receive Government support and is entirely reliant on donations.

There are one million residents in Derbyshire, and by becoming One in a Million, people are being asked to donate £4 a month to help the centre, which is based in Skegness, and the children and schools for whom it provides a valuable service.

Up until lockdown, the centre, which until this year was run by Ednaston man Bill Tomlinson, was providing five-day holidays for at least 450 youngsters from across the county.

Children, many of whom have never had a holiday or even seen the sea, have all the fun of a break in a structured and learning environmen­t, helping with their self-confidence and life skills, and making friends and memories that last a lifetime.

They can be referred for a holiday by schools, social workers, councils and other voluntary organisati­ons.

The centre, known to many down the years as Skeggy Home, relies solely on public donation and, like many charities, has suffered hugely over the last eight months.

Alan Grimadell, who took over as chairman of DCHC from Mr Tomlinson in August, said: “There are children in all of our communitie­s who need our help on a daily and weekly basis by providing them with a break, a chance to see the sea, spend time in a new environmen­t and make new friends.

“Often these children have never had a holiday and would not experience what so many of us take for granted. You can’t put a price on the smiles we see on their faces, but £4 a month can really help do just that – put a smile on the face of a child.

“It feeds a child for a day, or pays for a trip bowling or to the circus – for many of the children it’s a whole new world of experience, and the benefit to them can be huge. But we need your help so we can keep helping them.”

Anyone wishing to donate can text DCHCMILLIO­N to 78005 – and begin helping a Derbyshire child straight away.

 ??  ?? Derbyshire Children’sholiday Centre in Skegness
Derbyshire Children’sholiday Centre in Skegness

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