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Family Fund, like so many other charities, helps families like ours across the UK. If you are raising a disabled or child who is seriously ill and under the age of 17 and are on a low income, Family Fund may assist you as a family or the individual child. Last year, Family Fund provided over 88,000 grants and services worth over £33 million to families across the UK. Still, without regular money coming in, they wouldn’t be able to continue the great work they do. We were one of those families. Thanks to their kindness and grants, we have been able to have proper time together as a family, and I wanted to write a post about how Family Fund has helped us and how they could help you.
Family Fund was first established in 1973, and the first grant of £26 for hospital visiting costs was issued on 1 April 1973. In 1996, Family Fund became an independent charitable trust. Today, they are funded by the four UK governments, private donations and income they generate through their Family Fund Business Services’ work.
Our Story
We discovered Family Fund through our son’s Occupational Therapist. We wanted to go on a proper family holiday, but having recently given up work to care for our disabled son, we only had one income, and it was a struggle. So we discovered Family Fund, and I was pleasantly surprised by how straight forward the application process was. Our application was sent via the post with the supporting documentation, and it was roughly four weeks before we had our first approval. We’d applied for a Haven holiday voucher. Like most charities, you have to have a particular item or holiday in mind when you apply. They offer Ipads, white goods, garden modifications, holidays, clothing, to name a few.
What if I change my Mind
However, you can apply to change your funding once it has been approved if you want to change your award. We have never requested two items, but I have friends who have applied for money towards a holiday and garden equipment like a trampoline. Once the voucher is awarded, it takes seven days to be credited to Haven or the appropriate holiday provider. Our first voucher we’d already booked our trip, so I called up and told them about our award, and they credited the amount to our holiday. This has since changed, and you can’t use the voucher for any holidays already booked. You can, of course, book two trips and use the voucher towards both.
What it has given us
We are no longer cramped in a budget hotel, in one room having to go to bed at 9 pm with our son, having a caravan provides us with the flexibility to put him to bed and sit in another room and spend time with our daughter. We have found both Haven and Perran Sands to be so accommodating. Thomas is sensitive to noise, so we have always requested a caravan away from the entertainment centre. For the first time this year, I have requested an accessible caravan as it was a struggle last year. We have used Family Fund now for three or four years. I logon to our online account and, once a year, request a Haven holiday, and I have written a review about our last trip. They limit you to once a year applications for obvious reasons, although, in exceptional circumstances, they may accept a further application.
How can you help them
It is often underestimated how much it can cost to raise a disabled child. On average, it costs three times more to raise a disabled child than a child without additional needs. Family Fund understands this and is committed to improving their quality of life and helping them feel included. A big key to their success in fundraising. Every penny raised will help Family Fund continue developing and delivering new ways to support families raising disabled or seriously ill children whether you fancy hosting your own Messy Tea Party or Dress Fun Friday. There are still so many families to help!
Please check out their website for more information about how you could help. If you have any questions about donating to, or fundraising for Family Fund, you can speak to their Fundraising Team on 01904 550033 or email fundraising@familyfund.org.uk.
*We are not affiliated, associated, authorised, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with the Family Fund or Haven Holidays.*
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