A highly valued Derbyshire charity that has lit up the lives of thousands of disadvantaged children by taking them on holiday has launched a new fundraising drive as it celebrates its 130th birthday.
Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre (DCHC) has officially launched its ‘One in a Million’ campaign to help it continue taking deprived children to the seaside in Skegness.
The campaign centres around the fact that if one per cent of Derbyshire’s one million residents were to donate four pounds a month, it would raise £40,000 a year for the charity. Five per cent of the population pledging the same amount would raise £200,000 per annum.
The centre relies entirely on public donations and, until lockdown, the centre was providing five-day holidays for around 660 youngsters from across the county.
A picture from the archives of the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, which celebrates its 130th birthday in 2021.
As well as the One in a Million campaign, the much-loved charity is also staging a golf day July 7th to raise more vital funds, as well as a family steam train trip between Ecclesbourne and Duffield in September.
And it will be lights, camera and action for DCHC as it welcomes guests to a special screening of the latest James Bond film at Quad in Derby on September 30th.
DCHC chairman Alan Grimadell said: “We are very proud that our charity has been going strong for 130 years, providing a week of seaside fun for children who really need a break.
“Covid restrictions meant that unfortunately, we were not able to offer a holiday to children during 2020, but we are now concentrating on fundraising efforts so that when it is safe to open up our centre in Skegness again, we will be able to welcome children once more.
“Our James Bond film night at Quad in Derby should be a highly glamorous occasion that we hope plenty of local people will support. Our golf day is always a popular event, as is our steam train trip in Derbyshire.
“It’s important to emphasise that our charity is for children across the whole of Derbyshire. That’s why we are keen for people to pledge their support via our ‘One in a Million’ campaign.
“A donation of just £4 will feed a child for a day at our holiday centre or buy them a visit to the circus. It’s amazing to think of the joy that such a small amount of money will bring.
“We hope that people will sign up to our campaign so that our holiday centre can continue to provide a week’s happy memories for thousands of needy children in our county.”
Nominated children come from homes where the impact of financial hardship, deprivation or abuse has created a situation where stress is common and there are few comforts.
With a prestigious Queen’s Award for Volunteers, the holiday centre is expertly run to provide children with a relaxing week free from the pressures of their lives, which may include elements such as caring for relatives.
To donate as part of the ‘One in a Million’ scheme, text DCHCMILLION to 70085 to pledge £4 a month. Alternatively, visit the charity’s Just Giving page on https://www.justgiving.com/DCHC to give a different amount.
For tickets to the James Bond screening, golf day or steam train trip, visit www.dchc.org.uk or phone 07768 444 009.
ENDS
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