Thank you for supporting A Bit of a Break in 2025
Welcome to our A Bit of a Break 2025 winter warmer where we’re kicking things off with a simple, but heartfelt thank you for all your support this year.
Whether you’re a GP who’s referred a patient to us, a property owner who’s generously gifted time in your holiday home, sponsored a friend running the Great North Run, bought coffee and cake at the Worth Valley Supporters Group Summer Fayre or simply worn one of our T-shirts and chatted to people about what we do, thank you.
With your support not only have we achieved our 2025 goal of expanding our referral community across the M62 but we’ve also received more than twice our usual number of referrals. This year a little over 70 patients were referred to us for a break when we’re more used to receiving 25-30 referrals in a year.
Gifting a couple of nights away to someone navigating the challenges of living with a life-limiting illness whether that’s a cancer diagnosis, MND or any other illness might seem like a small thing to do, but as guests and referrers tell us time and time again, these breaks can and do make a huge difference.
They can bring precious moments of peace, joy and fun. They’re a chance to simply be, to sit and reflect, to talk and listen.
We now take referrals from 15 organisations across the M62. That means between 30 to 40 health professionals and care workers working with patients with a palliative diagnosis whether in general practice, carer support organisations, Macmillan services or hospice care (such as Marie Curie or Sue Ryder). They are well placed to spot someone who might benefit from a few days away and we thank them for working with us to make these breaks happen.
People News: Welcome, Farewell and thank you!
Welcome to Gill Nolan
Gill has been one of our referrers for several years, working closely with Trustee Dr Mike Merriman, first in her role as Macmillan Care Navigator in the Knowsley and Kirkby areas and now as a Lead for Personalised Cancer Care more widely across North Merseyside. We’re thrilled that Gill has joined our Board of Trustees bringing her energy and enthusiasm, knowledge about supporting patients with a palliative diagnosis, and her expertise and skill in communicating with patients and colleagues alike. Welcome aboard Gill!
Farewell and thank you Chris!
Trustee Chris Wiley has been a stalwart supporter of ABOAB from the very beginning. In her role back then as CEO of Carers’ Resource she immediately believed in the concept and took us under her wing to enable the charity to flourish. After ten years of active support including as a Trustee for the past four years, Chris is leaving her role as a Trustee. Thank you for your wisdom and guidance. Enjoy more time with your four-legged friends and keep in touch.
Thank you Rachel!
Rachel is our co-ordinator and works tirelessly behind the scenes talking to referrers and guests so that we can find them a break that works just for them. Whether a guest needs a quiet solo break in the Yorkshire Dales or a family getaway in a holiday lodge on the coast, Rachel makes it happen. It might take time to slot the jigsaw pieces into place but as Rachel tells us, it is immensely rewarding.
Our Fabulous Fundraisers
We truly believe we have the best supporters around! The money you raise covers the costs incurred by our generous property owners who gift their property for free and we make a donation to cover their cleaning, laundry and heating costs. It also means we have the funds to – in special circumstances – cover the cost of a break when a guest needs to get away urgently, contribute to travel costs for those who’d struggle to afford petrol or train fares or help when someone needs specialist accommodation and additional support to get away.
If you’d like to fundraise for ABOAB please let us know so that we can support you whether that’s sharing news of your fundraising, supplying you with t-shirts and banners or arranging for supporters to cheer you along a race route.Huge congratulations to our Great North Run runners who did us, and themselves proud back in September. A shout out to our fabulous Worth Valley Supporters Group who raised a magnificent £2,500 at their annual Summer Fayre in Haworth and The Understated women’s cycling and friends group who raised a fantastic £1,300 at their Christmas gathering. Thank you!
From Windermere in the Lake District to Blackpool and the Fylde Coast
Sitting on the edge of Windermere in the Lake District, Glade Lodge on Farrowball Park was the perfect spot for an October break for one family. Huge thanks to owners, Ruth and Steve, who have been part of ABOAB since we started out 9 years ago.
“It was just amazing! The perfect place right by the lake. Gorgeous weather – we were in T shirts and shorts. We had a ball and it just couldn’t have been better! The bar and restaurant on site were open but it’s only 500yds to the village so we could explore shops. As it was out of season everything was nice and quiet, which we really welcomed.”
The Fylde Coast, in Lancashire has always been on our radar because it’s such a great location. It’s the seaside tourist area including Blackpool, Lytham, St Annes and Fleetwood and it’s within the ideal two-hours travel time from almost all our referral areas.
We haven’t managed to secure many ‘gifted’ properties there yet, but we’re always on the lookout! Some family groups prefer Blackpool’s holiday parks, attractions and illuminations and thanks to another local charity, The Principle Trust, we have an option for guests to take a break at Haven’s Marton Mere Park there, with its built-in entertainment and activities.
Others enjoy the more tranquil atmosphere of beaches, parks and golf courses at Lytham and St Annes and we’ve discovered some wonderful old Victorian places right on the sea front there with massive bay windows to sit and watch the sea views and the folks go by along the sweeping prom.
We’re especially delighted to have found the two ‘Estuary Riverside Chalets’ in Poulton-le-Fylde near Blackpool which means we can now deliver breaks to families needing fully wheelchair adapted accommodation. Availability in these very popular chalets is extremely limited, so we use our precious funds to pay to book them out when needed. They’re just perfect for our guests who need wheelchair adapted accommodation.
The Estuary Riverside Chalets
“It was so lovely! I couldn’t have asked for more. I never knew such places existed. It had everything. We were both quite emotional and amazed at the space and facilities in the chalet. It was cosy and warm with adjustable work surfaces and clever automated blinds. We were struck by the beauty of the surrounding countryside, just watching the sheep from the window, and the glorious sunsets over the estuary. Thank you so much.”
The Fred Towler Charity Trust helping us to gift more breaks
We couldn’t let the year end go by without thanking The Fred Towler Charity’s ‘Holiday Fund’. The Trust grants funds for holidays or periods of rest for disadvantaged people living in the Bradford Metropolitan District and this year we received grants of £4,000. This money meant we could pay for accommodation when when we struggled to find somewhere at the right time or with the right accessible accommodation and facilities.
Thank you for your support this year
Wishing you, your families, friends and loved ones a healthy and happy Christmas and New Year from all the Trustees and Team at A Bit of a Break
Mike, Paula, Gill, Helen, Kim, Jules and Rachel
