New west country project for charity launches.
Farm & Cottage Holidays were delighted to be able to launch the project by providing the first holiday to the Oakley family from Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire. Helen Oakley, now aged 14, has an incurable, inherited metabolic disorder called glutaric aciduria type I. Helen’s rare medical condition, along with the severe disability it caused, makes normal family holidays extremely difficult. The project ‘Give them a break’ has enabled all four of the Oakley’s to take time away from their home surroundings and routine and spend time together as a family enjoying a break in the West Country. The family, which includes mum Sandra, dad Kevin and younger brother Stuart were delighted to have an Easter break at the seaside in Bideford, North Devon.
‘There is so much to organise whenever we plan to go away, that sometimes it’s easier not to even try’ said Sandra ‘ this holiday came just at the right time, during the Easter break, so that we could have a family holiday by the sea just like others do’
Helen and her family are supported by Helen House in Oxfordshire, one of the many Children’s Hospices in the UK. The family took part in the 2007 BBC 2 documentary ‘The Children of Helen House’. At that time the family were trying to plan a desperately needed break with their son whilst having to put considerable trust in the team at Helen House to look after Helen while they were away. The documentary revealed the real strain for a family having to cope with a life threatening illness. For anyone interested in donating a week’s free accommodation to the project either contact your Farm & Cottage Holidays property manager or email info@givethemabreak.co.uk for more information.