Charity which provides special holidays in Mablethorpe in need of extra support

A charity which provides holidays for people with life-limiting medical conditions is appealing for support after having to withdraw two of their caravans due to lack of funds.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Mar 2016, 10:00 BST
Hundreds of families with terminally ill children, like the Lawson family, have enjoyed a well-deserved break in Mablethorpe thanks to the work of the Me & Dee charity.Hundreds of families with terminally ill children, like the Lawson family, have enjoyed a well-deserved break in Mablethorpe thanks to the work of the Me & Dee charity.
Hundreds of families with terminally ill children, like the Lawson family, have enjoyed a well-deserved break in Mablethorpe thanks to the work of the Me & Dee charity.

The Derby-based Me &Dee charity helps 100 families every year but needs £60,000 to cover running costs.

The charity is appealing for extra support to enable it to continue.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Founder of the charity, Maria Hanson, MBE, says she will do whatever it takes to keep the charity going.

Most Popular

She explained: “If you had a loved one who was living with a life limiting condition, or if your family was facing a short and uncertain future together, you would want to make the time they had left together as special as possible - This is the purpose of our charity.

“We arrange holidays at Mablethorpe in two caravans, - along with beach huts - for families in this position and for physically and emotionally injured service men and women.

“Very precious memories can be made.

“We don’t have grants, we don’t have fund raisers or a flurry of staff.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I work on average a minimum of 60-80 hours a week to run the charity. There is a mammoth amount of admin’ and it costs £60,000 to keep the charity going.

“I want to show it doesn’t need to be Disneyland.It doesn’t need to be extravagant. It just needs to be a beautiful British seaside holiday in a lovely and very comfortable setting.

“I love our set up now of our two caravans and our two great beach huts.

“I hope to help 100 families this year and can think of nothing I wouldn’t attempt to do to ensure this happens for as many years as possible.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ms Hanson is hoping to work closer with the local community to continue the work the charity is already doing in the area.

She added: “I would love an opportunity to make contact with local businesses in the surrounding areas of Mablethorpe for a social corporate commitment - to let local groups know that Me &Dee is here , bringing 100 families to Mablethorpe this year.

“I want to make them aware of the help needed to keep going.

“Even collection pots in offices or for events, donations of brand new bedding would be welcome.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Anyone with holiday accommodation who might offer a long weekend or week that I can hand on to families and soldiers. I have to turn many people down with just the two caravans now.”

*If you would like to support the charity, email Maria: [email protected]. Or call: 01332 297011.

Related topics:MablethorpeDerbyMBE