Tag Archives: holiday

Marshalling Support for Local Charity

Who fancies a day out in Plymouth this April?  The sun sparkling off a beautiful sea, the fantastic character of the Hoe, the Barbican, the gorgeous grounds of the stunning Saltram House and the other historic highlights that Plymouth has to offer.  Sounds like a nice day out, doesn’t it?  Well, while you’re there how about helping the Torbay Holiday Helpers Network (THHN) raise some much needed money by sparing a few hours on Sunday 27 April to either run in, or marshal at, the Plymouth Half Marathon.

The THHN gives free holidays to families who have seriously ill and bereaved children, recently bereaved families, couples who have lost a child and to families who have a terminally ill parent.  The charity is a network of hotels, guest houses, attractions and other businesses who all work with the THHN to provide these holidays but the charity is currently raising money to build a bungalow for those families who have high level care needs and who are not able to use the accommodation currently on offer.

Luke Tillen, Founder and Chairman of the THHN said “The Plymouth Half Marathon is such a wonderful event taking in some incredible scenery and we are delighted that the THHN is an affiliated charity for 2014. The running team at the THHN has developed over time and we now have around 20 people who regularly run in events for us.  We welcome runners of all abilities and we are in a position to provide help with training and advice to any newcomers.  We have a Forum that they can belong to and we provide goody bags and free running tops, thanks to our sponsors.  We are a really friendly bunch and would be absolutely thrilled to hear from anyone who would like to join the team for this or any of our running events.”  He added “Of course, these events take a huge amount of organising and that’s why we are also on the lookout for people who would be prepared to marshal at this particular event.  Each marshal is given an area and the role is to ensure that the runners stay on the correct route as they pass, and help out where necessary.  It’s just as important to provide marshals as it is runners.  As with any event, it’s a team effort and without all those who help organise things the event simply wouldn’t happen.”  The charity is keen to hear from individuals as well as groups who might be interested.  Luke says that often people get together with work colleagues or challenge friends to get involved and find that being part of such a unit can be enormously rewarding as well as a lot of fun.

THHN Runners

Luke and the team need as many volunteer marshals as possible and anyone who wants to offer their services or simply have a chat to find out more is asked to telephone 01803 325152 or e-mail rebecca@thhn.co.uk

These events really do form a vital part of the THHN fundraising campaign that is currently underway.  For example, the THHN team that took part in the Great West Run in Exeter last October raised over £7,000 at that event alone.  So, if you think you might be able to help in any way at all or are interested in further information please do get in touch.

Torbay Holiday Helpers Network Holiday Relaxation

Holidays are meant to be a time to relax and get away from the worries of everyday life.  For Louise and Richard Dicks, and their daughter Ella, the week they just spent on a Torbay Holiday Helpers Network (THHN) holiday did just that.  Three year old Ella has a rare genetic condition which means that her life is restricted by severe epilepsy and she requires significant care 24 hours a day.  Whilst Ella is a happy little girl who tries her utmost to cope with the pressure she faces, needless to say, life for Ella, Richard and Louise is a struggle and both parents suffer from feelings of isolation and exhaustion.

Jayne, the family’s support worker at the Rainbow Trust charity, suggested the THHN holiday to Louise and Richard and it turns out to have been a wonderful idea.  Louise said “We had an absolutely lovely time. We stayed at the Hotel De La Mer and Luke Tillen and his family could not have been nicer.  It is very hard to accept help, even though we are in a difficult situation, but everyone we came across was so welcoming and behaved as though it was no trouble at all which made us feel so much better. The holiday really did give us some quality time with Ella away from the daily grind.  Simple things like not having to cook and wash up meant that we were free to just enjoy each other’s company.  Over the week we had three days of glorious sunshine which meant we were able to take Ella on the beach for the first time, sit in the park and go for some wonderful walks.  It really was a wonderful change of scene for all of us.”  Louise added “As well as Luke and the charity generally, we would particularly like to thank Angel’s Tea Rooms for a delightful cream tea, Hanbury’s Fish Restaurant for our amazing fish and chips and the Cliff Railway Café for some tasty sandwiches.”

Luke, Louise, Richard and Ella

THHN Founder and Chairman, Luke Tillen, said “Louise, Richard and Ella are a lovely family and we were only too pleased to welcome them to the hotel.  However, they are an example of a family who I feel would have been better accommodated in the new bungalow we’re working towards.  Of course, they didn’t complain in the least, but they did struggle a bit using the shower and the bungalow we’re planning will be fully equipped making holidays for families with special care needs just that little bit easier.”  The charity’s aim is to provide a bungalow somewhere on the English Riviera which is a facility that would enable those families unable to holiday in regular accommodation the opportunity for a little respite in a wonderful location.  Whilst this is obviously a long-term fundraising project Luke is determined to see it through and provide this extra much-needed accommodation.  For more information about the THHN and the plans for a new special care bungalow visit www.thhn.co.uk.