A new east coast holiday home that aims to provide respite for disadvantaged children has won a seal of approval from a Hull mum and her two boys.
The home is based at Primrose Valley Holiday Park on the outskirts of Filey – and one of the first guests was Ashleigh Sanderson and her sons Charlie, nine, and Oliver, three. Ashleigh, a single mum, has long-term health issues and needed a chance to spend some quality time with her boys.
She said: “Being a single mum can be really challenging; having the chance to spend some time together away from our day-to-day lives was just what we all needed.”
The holiday home was opened by The Principle Trust, which provides respite breaks for children who are underprivileged, disadvantaged, disabled, have life-limiting conditions, mental health issues, or who have experienced poverty, trauma, or abuse.
Ashleigh and her children were referred to the charity by Hull’s Hessle Road Network, which helps locals build friendships and confidence, develop new skills, and reduce feelings of isolation. Community worker Jo Cobley said: “We’ve been referring families to The Principle Trust for several years and the impact of the respite breaks they provide cannot be overstated.
“For families who are disadvantaged or facing isolation, it’s an opportunity to spend quality time together, escape everyday troubles and create valuable, happy memories.”
The holiday home was able to be bought thanks to the generosity of patrons and supporters of The Principle Trust, the charity’s respite manager, Helen Greaves, said.
“Having a lodge on the east coast will make it easier for families from Hull and East Yorkshire to access a much-needed respite break,” she explained.
The Principle Trust was established in 2011 by Mike Davies MBE, a Yorkshire businessman. Since its inception, the trust has provided free respite breaks to 5,400 children. It owns and operates six other holiday homes: four in Blackpool and two fully accessible lodges on the banks of Lake Windermere.
The charity also has a 100 per cent donations policy, which ensures that “every penny raised from events and marketing directly benefits children and their families”.