Lent Appeal 2026: Family Holiday Charity
During Lent, we are called to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as outward signs of our inward conversion. Through our Lenten Appeal, we respond to Christ’s call to generosity, supporting the mission of the Church and the needs of those we serve. All are invited to give prayerfully and sacrificially, offering what we can as an expression of gratitude, compassion, and trust in God’s abundant grace.
This year, we are supporting Family Holiday Charity, a charity supporting families facing some of life’s toughest challenges with the chance to create life-long memories during a short, UK-based holiday.
Did you know that for 16% of the families Family Holiday Charity supported in 2025, a holiday had never been an option?
Who are Family Holiday Charity?
In the UK, two and a half million families with dependent children cannot afford a one-week holiday.
Family Holiday Charity exists to provide a unique welfare response for families facing some of life’s toughest challenges, such as life-limiting illness, children with SEN, mental health issues and poverty, to name a few.
Holidays are designed to help us all to thrive.
Of all the families who received a holiday from the charity in 2025:
- 40% had never been on holiday before.
- 90% said that relationships within their family have improved.
- 67% said that their children feel more confident engaging with other children.
For families facing poverty, illness, bereavement or isolation, a simple break away can feel impossible. Yet spending valuable time together, resting and having the chance to recover, can be truly life‑changing. It restores hope, strengthens relationships, and creates memories that will last a lifetime.
How they work
Family Holiday Charity operate in England, Scotland and Wales. Through geographically and demographically targeted projects, Family Holiday Charity provide individual short UK holidays, group holidays and day trips. Families are referred to them by registered charities or statutory provided services who are supporting them on a regular basis.
Family Holiday Charity only offer holidays to families who meet their three criteria:
- Families who have a child under the age of 18
- Families who are living on a household income of less than £24,000 per year – that’s £11,000 less than the uK median household income
- Families who have not had a holiday in th past 4 years.
They offer safe, manageable locations – typically seaside holiday parks from providers like Hoseasons, Parkdean and Butlins. To avoid adding pressure to tight budgets, we also give each family e-vouchers to help with food and travel costs.
Families are empowered to choose their own holiday destination and dates and are supported throughout the entire process.
At January 2026, the average cost of sending a family of four away is £767.
Their work in our area
In 2025, Family Holiday Charity received 146 applications from families living across London.
Due to a lack of funding, only 23 families were able to feel the transformative benefits of a holiday.
Within our own local authority of Kensington and Chelsea, in 2025, Family Holiday Charity received 9 applications.
Due to a lack of funding, Family Holiday Charity were only able to support one of these families.
Families like Sabina’s, whose story begins just across the river in Lambeth.
“It’s okay, it’s just water.” Dion repeated these words as he took his first tentative steps into the pool. Sabina could barely believe her eyes. Days ago, this would have seemed impossible.
