The Principle Trust - a charity dedicated to supporting disadvantaged families - has now provided free respite breaks to 5000 children in Yorkshire.
Charity that supports Harrogate children celebrates major milestone
A charity dedicated to supporting disadvantaged families is celebrating a major milestone - providing free respite breaks to 5000 children from Yorkshire.
The Principle Trust provides respite holidays for children who are underprivileged, disadvantaged, disabled, have life-limiting conditions, or who have experienced poverty, trauma or abuse.
Every year the charity receives hundreds of referrals from social services, schools and other organisations, including children from Harrogate who are referred through the Council’s Early Help Harrogate initiative.
Launched in 2011, The Trust was established by Yorkshire businessman Mike Davies, MBE.
Inspired by his own traumatic childhood, Mr Davies wanted to offer respite breaks to children experiencing long term, life-threatening or limiting illnesses disabilities, mental health issues or social deprivation.
Over the last twelve years The Trust has raised over £1.6m and purchased six holiday homes, four near Blackpool and two on the banks of Lake Windermere.
[caption id="attachment_103687" align="aligncenter" width="721"] One of The Principle Trusts accessible respite lodges. (Photo: Stephen Garnett)[/caption]This week will see the 5,000th child cross the threshold at one of charity’s fully accessible Lake District lodges.
For the family (who wish to remain anonymous), this week will be a chance to escape their everyday troubles and create valuable, happy memories – the kind many of us take for granted.
Commenting on the milestone Mr. Davies said:
“Every week we receive heartwarming feedback from the families who stay in our lodges; for them it is an opportunity to escape some of their daily struggles and spend quality time together.
"To have reached 5000 children is an achievement which has been made possible by our amazing network of fundraisers, patrons and supporters.”
Despite the challenging economic climate, The Trust remains committed to extending its services and supporting more families across the region.
In 2023 the charity launched ‘Food for Families’, an ongoing initiative to help tackle food poverty by providing one week’s supply of daily essentials to families staying at their holiday homes near Blackpool.
The Trust, which recently completed a six-figure refurbishment of its accessible lodges, is supported by local fundraisers and corporate patrons, including award-winning Harrogate hair salon, Westrow.
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