Behind the scenes at A Bit of a Break (June 2025)

Welcome to the A Bit of a Break 2025 summer newsletter packed with news from our community of property owners, referrers, supporters and the most important people, the people we gift a break to.

We’re delighted to bring you news from Project Lighthouse and our Worth Valley Supporters Group. We also have fantastic news on the referrer front and an update on how we’re expanding our reach across the north so that we can help more people receiving palliative care to have a much-needed break.

Project Lighthouse is back!

Yes, the rumours are true! After a winter break (we don’t blame you for waiting for warmer, dryer weather) Matthew and Jane are back on their bikes taking the Project Lighthouse challenge to the south west coast to raise funds for ABOAB.

Since the beginning of June the intrepid duo have cycled to Trevose, both St. Ives lighthouses, Pendeen, Tater du, Newlyn, Penzance, Lizard, St Anthony Head and Mevagissey lighthouses.

With more than 100 lighthouses ticked off the list before the Cornwall leg of the challenge, the target of cycling to all 185 lighthouses is getting ever closer.

Just a couple of years after Ange’s passing in 2016, Matthew set himself the challenge to cycle to all mainland lighthouses and he’s been ticking them off ever since, supported along the way by his children Jack and Emily, his partner Jane and countless friends and family.

If you want to find out more about Matthew and his Project Lighthouse challenge read this interview with BBC Leeds or visit Project Lighthouse.

Worth Valley Supporters Group Annual Charity Fayre

Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th August, Haworth

Our fabulous Worth Valley Supporters Group (WVSG) are already busy organising their annual summer charity fayre. We love these photos from last year’s event! It’s always a fabulous day with Haworth School Room filled with tables of handmade jewellery, craft and woodwork items and rails of pre-loved clothes as well as bric-a-brac. It’s perfect for discovering those special one-off finds for the mantlepiece or kitchen shelf while supporting ABOAB.

Thank you so much! They had an absolutely amazing time in Ambleside in the Lake District having the honeymoon they were never able to have when they married 17 years ago! They are so grateful to ABOAB for doing this for them, it’s made a massive difference to them both.

Macmillan Welfare Adviser

Growing our Referrer Network

The big news since our last 2024 newsletter is that we’ve now had almost 30 referrals since the beginning of the year. That’s an ABOAB record and it’s thanks to our growing network of referrers now stretching from east to west across the M62 that we’re able to identify so many patients receiving palliative care who would benefit from a chance to get away from it all!

We’ve arranged breaks in Ambleside, Coniston & Ullswater in Lake District, Anglesey, Dolgellau & Rhyll in N Wales, Filey (E Yorks) and Seahouses (Northumberland).

On top of that there are breaks lined up in Ambleside (it’s very popular!) and Coniston, Bamburgh and Newton by the Sea, Thirsk, Filey and Poulton le Flyde (nr Blackpool).

We’re also incredibly grateful for the property owners who helped us to organise a further six breaks that sadly weren’t able to go ahead due to ill-health.

“We had a great time away in the caravan and it was so nice having some family time. It’s such a lovely caravan, with everything you could want, and the neighbours were so friendly and helpful. P was unwell for a couple of days but even then, we could sit on the decking and enjoy being outdoors which just made it! Our daughter loved the arcades and was much closer to her dad than she has been for a long time! A big thank you to everyone for sorting everything out for us.’’

Guest stayed at Olivanges, a static caravan in Rhyll, North Wales

Mission Accomplished!

From east to west ABOAB increases its reach across the M62 corridor

ABOAB’s heart lies in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, about half-way across the M62 and not far from Leeds and Bradford. When Ange started the charity in 2016 it made sense to limit our patient referrals to selected local health/care providers within a 20-mile radius or so. Almost a decade later, we’re delighted that our referral partnerships stretch the length of the M62 corridor.

We’ve done this firstly by developing strong links with referrers in Liverpool, and in the last couple of years in Manchester too. This year we’ve also turned our attention east, starting with Harrogate and more recently forging partnerships all the way across to Hull, Grimsby and Scarborough.

We’re especially thrilled to be partnering with the Macmillan palliative care teams whose services cover a wide geographical area. It means we can now say with confidence that our reach is across the whole M62 corridor, and we’ve succeeded in our aim to accept patients from nominated referrers all the way from west to east!

It’s thanks to our partnerships with our referrers that we’re able to help so many more people receiving palliative care to have a much-needed break. Thank you!

Property feature: The Nets, Filey

Talking about desirable seaside locations, we love The Nets in Filey on the east Yorkshire coast, a property fresh onto our books this year. It’s owned by Andrea – thank you so much Andrea – and let through 5leys booking agency, recent guests had a wonderful time there. Being just 5 minutes from the beach and a 5-minute stroll the other way into town, it ticked lots of boxes for a perfect family break.

“Very relaxing, a great spot and the underfloor heating was so very warm and cosy. The whole lodge was very accessible, and the wet room was great. It was the closest lodge (just two minutes) to reception/restaurant etc so not far to travel for a coffee! The staff were very welcoming and friendly. It was lovely to sit and watch squirrels and robins. Miles of woodland forest walks with good paths which were fine for motorised wheelchair. We also went out to Cheshire Oaks shopping outlet, Chester. Thank you so much. It was all wonderful.”

Guests who stayed in an accessible lodge at Forest Holidays, Delamere

The Property Partnership Jigsaw

Project Lighthouse is back!

Worth Valley Supporters Group Annual Charity Fayre

Growing our Referrer Network

Mission Accomplished!

Property feature: The Nets, Filey

Farewell and thank you to one of our biggest supporters

About us

Latest News

Make a Donation

Keep in Touch