1891
Established
29
Schools in 2024
368
Holidays in 2024
Welcome to Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre
Important Update: Our Journey Toward a Brighter Future
“The Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre has been going since 1891, and the need to provide a seaside holiday for in-need Derbyshire children is as strong today as it was then.
As a long-running charity, we remain true to our core purpose. We know that providing a holiday in our centre means so much more to the children who attend than just a week’s break. It gives them confidence and helps forge friendships and bonds. Many children who attended our centre have never forgotten the feeling of love and support it gave them.
But times have changed since 1891, and our trustees have decided it is necessary to pause our holidays in 2025 while we fully review our entire operation, with the aim of coming back better, stronger, and more resilient to face future challenges.”
“We temporarily closed for two years in the late 1980s to transition from local authority funding to being fully self-supporting. Now, we face a similar challenge to meet rising costs and ensure we continue to provide much-needed holidays in 2026 and beyond.
Trustees are already hard at work redefining our vision to continue ‘to inspire Derbyshire’s children to flourish,’ while staying true to our values of being caring, aspirational, passionate, encouraging, and inclusive.
As we go forward, the public’s support and encouragement of the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre is always appreciated.”
While our holidays are paused in 2025, your support remains vital to our mission. Here’s how you can help:
- – Stay Connected: Follow our journey as we plan for a brighter future.
- – Spread the Word: Share our mission and story to help us raise awareness.
- – Support Our Campaigns: Look out for our Comeback Appeal 2026 and other fundraising efforts as we prepare to return stronger than ever.
- – Donate using either our ‘Go Fund Me‘ or ‘Just Giving‘ appeal pages– Share your story: Have you or a close family member visited our Centre for a holiday? Share your story with us – we would love to hear from you! Email us [email protected]– Volunteer: We are always looking for help with fundraising. Chat with us about how you can get involved. Email: [email protected]– Cycle or Walk for us – SkegVegas 2025 Saturday 17th May – put the date in your diary and watch this space for further sign up information.
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Join Us in Making a Difference: The Comeback Appeal 2026
For over 130 years, we’ve been offering children the chance to create cherished memories, build confidence, and enjoy the magic of a seaside break. These holidays provide so much more than fun—they offer a vital boost to the well-being of children who need it most. But rising costs have been no secret and so we have taken the decision to pause holidays at our centre in 2025, with the aim of coming back bigger and stronger in 2026.
So the goal of our 'Comeback Appeal' is to raise £150,000 to bring back our life-changing holidays to disadvantaged children in Derbyshire and spread joy and hope to even more children in 2026.
This year, we need your help to make this possible. By contributing to The Comeback Appeal, you’ll be helping us bring sunshine back into the lives of children who might not otherwise experience a holiday.
Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to giving these children the gift of happiness, hope, and unforgettable memories.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and support for this cause that means so much to all of us. Together, we can make 2026 a year to remember for Derbyshire’s children.
Let’s make the comeback stronger than ever.

Contact Us Today
Some of Our Valued Supporters











We’re in the Derbyshire Times online and Derby Telegraph today! ... See MoreSee Less
Charity bosses welcome families aboard special fundraising day in Derby’s £3m heritage motoring centre
www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk
Derbyshire children’s charity leaders are welcoming families on board for a one-off motoring-themed fun day including Hacky Racing, axe throwing, slot car racing, a fire engine visit and tips on how...1 CommentComment on Facebook
It’s going to be a fantastic event. So much to see and do whilst supporting our charity. Here’s to great weather and a huge turnout.
It's just 6 weeks until the amazing @CosyChild Bike & Hike event!
And this year, there's a new challenge reflecting the work we do at Derby Kids' Camp 💛
The 'Amble to Ashbourne' is a 20 mile hike from Derby Arena to Ashbourne, close to the home of Derby Kids' Camp.
Along the way, you'll be walking through some of the beautiful Peak District scenery that the kids enjoy on a DKC holiday!
Are you up for a challenge to help us give more Derbyshire kids a break they really deserve?
Find out more and sign up here 👉 www.cosybikeandhike.com/
Here's the details 👇
🗓️ Saturday May 17th
📍 Derby Arena to Ashbourne Market Place
😋 Snacks and lunch provided at rest stops
👋 A support team on the day
🚌 Coach service back to Derby Arena after the event
You'll be part of an amazing team raising money to provide free holidays to Derbyshire's most deserving kids. The money raised will be split between Derby Kids' Camp and our friends at @derDerbyshire Children's Holiday Centre.
🚴♀️ Fancy a two-wheeled challenge instead? The 107-mile SkegVegas100 cycle to Skegness is the 'Bike' option, also taking place on May 17th!
Find out more and sign up for either event here 👉 www.cosybikeandhike.com/
Please join us to help make this event an amazing success and make a difference for local kids who need it! 🙏 ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
@followers
🚗✨ Start Your Engines for a Great Cause! ✨🚗
We’re teaming up with the brilliant folks at Great Northern Classics for a fun-filled Auto Meet on Saturday 26th April – and you’re invited! 🎉
👨👩👧👦 A perfect event for all the family!
Come and explore rows of awesome classic cars, meet fellow enthusiasts, and enjoy a buzzing, friendly atmosphere – all while helping give Derbyshire children a much-needed seaside break. 🏖️💙
We have axe-throwing, slot car racing and Hackey Racers to keep the whole family entertained. BBQ available and ice cream from the fabulous Bluebell Dairy!
📅 When: Saturday 26th April | From 10:00 AM until 3PM
📍 Where: Great Northern Classics, Osmaston Road, Derby
🎟️ Entry: Just £5 ticket per car of people – every penny supports Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre! Pay in advance via eventbrite or on the gate on the day.
Whether you're a petrolhead or just love a day out with the kids, this event promises shiny cars, smiling faces, and plenty of good vibes! 😎✨
Let’s put the fun into fundraising – see you there! 🚘🎈
#DCHC #GreatNorthernClassics #FamilyFun #ClassicCars #CharityEvent #AutoMeet #FeelGoodFundraising #Derbydaysout #Derbyfamily #Derbyshiredaysout ... See MoreSee Less
Auto meet fund raiser - Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre
www.eventbrite.com
Great Northern Classics are hosting a fund raiser event in collaboration with Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre! £5 per car entry!2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Is it £5 per person if your not in a car ?
👀
⚽️THANK YOU! ⚽️
Thanks to generous supporters we've raised a further £158 for our charity after rattling our tins at Mickleover FC's game and family fun day the other weekend.
Thanks so much to Don Amott for allowing us inside the turnstiles and everyone who donated, both with cash and by tapping their phones on our Just Giving link. ... See MoreSee Less
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You are very welcome to come back again soon! ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Looks like you had a great weekend and the weather stayed kind for you. Shaun Maskrey
Enjoy! We hope you enjoy our comfy beds and the facilities at our amazing Centre!The group that never sleeps!
We’re here and they’re all settled and enjoying the games room!
Update further over the weekend as we’re giving the scouts a social media take over!
Watch this space ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Love it here when I was younger xx
Great news. Glad your pathfinding skills are being used as our first weekend visitors of 2025. Thanks for your feedback, it seems you’re all enjoying yourselves. Brilliant. Shaun Maskrey