Skegness holidays for Derbyshire children in need under threat as charity issues £150,000 plea for help
A 133-year-old Derby charity which provides holidays for children in need has said it can't afford the trips this year - and has issued an urgent plea for £150,000 in donations.
Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre has provided the beloved trips to Skegness since 1891, but announced they would be paused this year. It's only the second time in the charity's long history it has had to take such a drastic measure.
Every year, 660 children are taken on the five-star week-long holidays to the residential centre on Lincolnshire's East Coast.
READ MORE: Warning issued after Nottinghamshire man caught setting traps to catch crayfish
READ MORE: BBC Homes Under the Hammer couple 'had to call the police' after discovery at Chaddesden property
The charity is solely funded through private donations which fund the holiday activities for the children, as it does not receive Government funding. While the charity does have a dedicated fundraising team, it has struggled in the past few years to keep up with the operational costs that arise from being based in a Victorian building.
Charity chair Mike Copestake said: “The Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre has been going since 1891 and the need to provide a seaside holiday for in-need Derbyshire children is as strong today as it was then.
“As a long-running charity, we remain true to our core purpose. We know that providing a holiday means so much more to the children who attend than just a week’s break. It gives them confidence and helps forge friendships and bonds.
“But times have changed since 1891 and our trustees have decided it is necessary to pause our holidays in 2025 while we fully review our entire operation, with the aim of coming back better, stronger and more resilient to face future challenges.”
The charity stopped its trips to Skegness once before in the late 1980s after Government funding was withdrawn. They then temporarily closed for a few years to run a large-scale fundraising campaign to become fully self-funded.
The charity now faces rising energy costs and food bills at the residential unit where it hosts the trips.
One parent that uses the service, Suzie Collings, said: "I'm shocked and saddened to hear about the news, as it's been going for such a long time. They are a fantastic charity. They help so many disadvantaged and worthy kids who wouldn't otherwise get an annual holiday or time away from siblings.
"I've used them several times within the last 10 years, and all three of my kids have had a break with this charity. I definitely hope it will return soon; it would be a shame if it ceases completely."
This isn't the first time the charity has had to appeal for help in recent years. They started a campaign in 2024 as rising costs meant their operations had amounted to an extra £50,000 per year.
Schools, social services, and other family organisations nominate children aged 11 and under to enjoy the five-star trips, including a special festive treat for some youngsters.
A spokesperson for the charity appealed for help on their GoFundMe page, writing: "So the goal of our 'Comeback Appeal' is to raise £150,000 to bring back our life-changing holidays to disadvantaged children in Derbyshire and spread joy and hope to even more children in 2026.
"This year, we need your help to make this possible. By contributing to The Comeback Appeal, you’ll be helping us bring sunshine back into the lives of children who might not otherwise experience a holiday. Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to giving these children the gift of happiness, hope, and unforgettable memories."
You can find the fundraising page here.