Could you help us make a family memory?
Most people hear the word holiday and think of something fairly ordinary. For our family, it has become something we have had to stop even hoping for.
We are genuinely struggling with the cost of everyday life. I am unable to work because of significant memory and cognitive impairment, alongside Autism and ADHD, and our household relies on Universal Credit. Our son has learning difficulties, Autism and ADHD as well as a chromosome deletion, so family life can involve challenges that are difficult to explain unless you have lived them.
Years ago, our little escape was Blackpool. It was never about luxury — it was simply somewhere we could go as a family and feel as though we had managed to get away for a while. That stopped after a frightening experience at the Illuminations switch-on. Our son became overwhelmed by the crowds and had a meltdown. While my partner was trying to support and calm him, she was assaulted.
Since then, going away has become harder and harder, and with the cost of living now taking so much of what we have, even a modest trip to Blackpool is beyond what we can realistically afford. As for a family holiday abroad, we have never had one.
We are not asking for five-star hotels or anything extravagant. We would just love the chance to get away together, breathe for a few days, and make some happy memories that are about being a family rather than constantly coping, budgeting and worrying about what we cannot afford.
If you are in a position to spare even a small amount, it would mean more to us than I can properly put into words. Every contribution would go towards giving our family a break we simply cannot manage on our own at the moment.
Please do not donate if it would leave you short yourself. But if you can help, thank you — genuinely.
