There’s a lot happening at the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre
You’ve no doubt seen a lot of fantastic news about our charity, it’s been a hectic few weeks. We’ve had our 135th Anniversary celebrations at the cathedral and last weekend at Repton.
As we enter into July there’s even more amazing things happening. I’m including them here with the relevant links in case anyone would like to join us and/or sponsor us so we can continue to provide holidays for disadvantaged children between 6 to 11 years old in Skegness.
Our events page is here dchc.org.uk/events/
Here’s some of the highlights taken from the page.
Tuesday 7th July to 12th July | The ‘Who Knew?’ walking tour with Stuart Boon and Xavier Andrews. 102 miles from Glossop to Swadlincote, an amazing journey that will travel through many of the towns and cities where our charity operates.
www.justgiving.com/page/stuart-boon
Sunday 2nd August 1.30pm | Open Gardens 9, Main Street, Horsley Woodhouse, Ilkeston Derbyshire,
DE7 6AU.
Sunday 9th August 12pm | Hot August Night 2026, Mickleover Sports Club, DE3 9FB
Saturday 5th September starts 930am | Turnditch and Windley Show, Meadow Farm, Windley and will commence with Horse & Pony events at 9.30 am.
Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th October | a maintenance weekend at Open day at the centre, Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, 1, Scarborough Avenue, Skegness, Lincolnshire, PE25 2SZ
Monday 12th October from 7pm until 11pm | The Himalayan Gurkha restaurant, 80 Macklin Street, Derby, DE1 1LF.
derbyshirechildrensholidaycentre.beaconforms.com/form/b41703e8
Thank you everyone for your support, now’s the time to get behind Xavier and Stuart in their epic feat, however you can support them will be greatly appreciated.
Janine Marie
Simon Evans
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Paediatric First Aid Training – Limited Places Available
Do you work in a nursery, preschool or early years setting and need to gain or renew your Paediatric First Aid qualification?
We have a small number of places available on our upcoming course:
📅 Thursday 23rd July
🕙 10.00am – 5.00pm
📍 Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre, 1 Scarborough Avenue, Skegness
💷 £75 per person
This is a blended 2-day course, comprising:
✅ One day of online e-learning (completed beforehand at a time that suits you)
✅ One day of face-to-face practical training
You'll receive:
✔️ A 3-year Paediatric First Aid certificate
✔️ FAIB accredited qualification
✔️ Training delivered by an experienced, child-focused trainer
Whether you're starting a new role, renewing your qualification or ensuring your setting remains compliant, this is an excellent value course.
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
📧 To book or find out more, email [email protected].
This content isn't available at the moment
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it, or it's been deleted.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
💙 A Legacy of Kindness Across the Generations💙
One of the most special moments from our 135th Anniversary Afternoon Tea on Sunday was welcoming these five wonderful sisters, who joined us in memory of their parents, Margaret and Barry Wilson.
Margaret and Barry were loyal, long-standing supporters of Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre, believing passionately in giving children the opportunity to enjoy a happy holiday by the sea. It was incredibly moving to see their daughters with us, continuing the generosity and compassion that their parents demonstrated throughout their lives.
When Barry sadly passed away in 2021, during the Covid pandemic, the family chose to support Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre through donations in his memory. Because of the restrictions at the time, they were unable to celebrate his life in the way they had hoped.
Following Margaret's passing in July last year, the family held a joint memorial service to celebrate both their parents' lives, once again asking for donations to Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre in lieu of flowers.
Those gifts have become a lasting legacy. Every donation received in memory of a loved one helps us create precious childhood memories for children who desperately need a break from the challenges they face at home. It is a beautiful way for someone's kindness and values to live on, touching the lives of children they may never meet.
If you've ever wondered how you can leave a lasting impact, there are many ways to do so. Some families choose to request donations to a charity instead of flowers at a funeral, while others decide to leave a gift in their Will. If either is something you would like to consider, speak to your solicitor when making or updating your Will, share your wishes with your loved ones, or let your funeral director know when arrangements are being made.
To the Wilson family, thank you. It was an honour to spend time with you on Sunday and to celebrate the remarkable legacy of Margaret and Barry. Their kindness continues to make a real difference, giving Derbyshire children the chance to enjoy the gift of a seaside holiday and create memories that will stay with them forever.
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
Margaret and Barry were lovely, caring people and the same may be said of their daughters. It was a pleasure to see you all again
Helen Fitchett what a beautiful thing to do... absolutely love this... giving children a seaside holiday.. from a beautiful family. Xxxxxx 🥰
It was a privilege to be able to represent Mum & Dad at your event. We had a lovely afternoon, especially talking to people who remember them so fondly. I think I speak for my sisters by saying that we would love to visit future events to continue the Wilson family support for your amazing charity. Thank you for having us 💕
It's getting exciting! There's only one week before it begins.
Starting on the 7th July and running 11th July 2026 Stuart Boon and Xavier Andrews will start on their Who Knew MEGA-walk to raise money for the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre.
Last year they raised £1907 by walking from Derby to Blackpool, for 2026 they have developed a new plan whilst working with us to raise further funds for the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre (DCHC).
Both Xavier and Stuart are passionate about the charity which has meant so much to Stuart since he was a child.
Our aim with the ‘Who Knew Walk’ is to raise awareness of the numerous Derbyshire towns where the charity engages with disadvantaged children and who are able to enjoy a holiday at our home in Skegness.
The walk will take them from Glossop to Buxton; Buxton to Chesterfield; Chesterfield to Belper; Belper to Derby via Heanor and Kilburn before their final leg from Derby to Swadlincote.
A total of 102 miles; the same distance that our children's holiday centre in Skegness is from Derby.
We hope you’ll be able to support them in their mission to raise £2000. Their JustGiving page is provided below:-
www.justgiving.com/page/stuart-boon
If you'd like to see more information about our charity feel free to use the links below:-
General website
dchc.org.uk/
Events
dchc.org.uk/events/
Volunteering
dchc.org.uk/volunteering/
Thank you for your support, and thank you Stuart and Xavier for going the extra 102 miles!
Janine Marie
Simon Evans
Lee Jepson
Stuart Boon
Xavier Andrews
#dchc135 #skegness
Stuart Boon and Xavier Andrews fundraiser MEGA-WALK for Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre
www.justgiving.com
Help Simon Evans raise money to support Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre0 CommentsComment on Facebook
💙 WOW… £14,500! THANK YOU! 💙
Yesterday was a truly special day as we celebrated our 135th Anniversary Afternoon Tea at Repton School, and we’re still overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity shown by everyone who came along.
Together, you helped raise an incredible £14,500.
What does that mean?
It means that more Derbyshire children facing difficult circumstances will have the chance to enjoy something many of us take for granted—a holiday.
For many of the children we support, it will be their very first time seeing the sea. They’ll paddle in the waves, build sandcastles, laugh with new friends, enjoy fish and chips by the coast, discover new places and, perhaps most importantly, have the chance to simply be children.
These holidays don’t just create happy memories. They build confidence, friendships, resilience and hope—memories that many children carry with them for the rest of their lives.
This incredible event simply wouldn’t have happened without so many wonderful people.
A particularly heartfelt thank you goes to our trustee Ben Robinson, whose passion, energy and commitment to giving back to the community drove this event from start to finish. Ben worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring everything together, and we are so grateful for everything he has done.
A huge thank you to Charles Hanson, who once again gave his time so generously to host the afternoon and our charity auction with such warmth, humour and professionalism.
Thank you to everyone who donated such amazing auction and raffle prizes, and to everyone who bid, bought raffle tickets or made a donation. Every single contribution makes a real difference.
We’re incredibly grateful to Repton School for hosting us so beautifully, to Alan Shepherd and the Repton bar team for going above and beyond throughout the afternoon, and to Ed Stanton and the team at Scorpion Events for providing the electrical infrastructure and event equipment that helped everything run seamlessly.
And to our amazing volunteers—thank you. From setting up the marquee and selling raffle tickets to welcoming guests and clearing away afterwards, your enthusiasm and hard work were simply outstanding.
Finally, thank you to every guest who came to celebrate with us. Your support means that more children across Derbyshire will have the opportunity to experience the magic of the seaside, perhaps for the very first time.
From all of us at Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre…
Thank you for believing that every child deserves the chance to make happy childhood memories. ❤️
#ThankYou #DCHC135 #GiftOfTheSeaside #Community #Charity #Derbyshire #Fundraising #MakingMemories
9 CommentsComment on Facebook
What a fantastic result ! Well done to all concerned !
Lost for words other than FANTASTIC result.
Fabulous!!
For 135 years, Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre has been changing children's lives through the simple magic of a seaside holiday.
Today, we're proud to premiere our brand-new video, beautifully produced by AV IT Media and Mark Averill. 🎥
We hope it gives you a glimpse of the laughter, friendships, confidence and memories that our holidays create for children who desperately need a break from the challenges they face at home.
For many of our children, this isn't just a holiday...
🌊 It's their first time seeing the sea.
🍦 Their first ice cream on the beach.
😊 Their first chance in a long time to simply be a child.
As we celebrate our 135th anniversary, we're asking you to help ensure that this life-changing tradition continues for generations to come by becoming a regular supporter.
💙 £32 a month pays for an entire holiday for one child.
🚌 £15 a month pays for their transport and activities.
🍦 £5 a month helps provide ice creams, treats and those magical little moments they'll remember forever.
Every monthly gift, whatever the amount, helps a child experience safety, friendship, fun and hope.
Please consider becoming part of their story today.
👉 Support our 135th Anniversary Appeal here:
[derbyshirechildrensholidaycentre.beaconforms.com/form/8d2217cd]
❤️ Were you one of our holiday children?
Perhaps you came to us as a child many years ago—whether you remember us as Derby Children's Seaside Home or Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre.
We would absolutely love to hear your story.
We're building a growing community of former holidaymakers and discovering the incredible journeys our children have gone on to take. Your memories are an important part of our history and we'd love to reconnect.
Please get in touch at [email protected](mailto:[email protected])
Please watch, share and help us give another child the gift of the seaside.
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
There’s a lot happening at the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre
You’ve no doubt seen a lot of fantastic news about our charity, it’s been a hectic few weeks. We’ve had our 135th Anniversary celebrations at the cathedral and last weekend at Repton.
As we enter into July there’s even more amazing things happening. I’m including them here with the relevant links in case anyone would like to join us and/or sponsor us so we can continue to provide holidays for disadvantaged children between 6 to 11 years old in Skegness.
Our events page is here dchc.org.uk/events/
Here’s some of the highlights taken from the page.
Tuesday 7th July to 12th July | The ‘Who Knew?’ walking tour with Stuart Boon and Xavier Andrews. 102 miles from Glossop to Swadlincote, an amazing journey that will travel through many of the towns and cities where our charity operates.
www.justgiving.com/page/stuart-boon
Sunday 2nd August 1.30pm | Open Gardens 9, Main Street, Horsley Woodhouse, Ilkeston Derbyshire,
DE7 6AU.
Sunday 9th August 12pm | Hot August Night 2026, Mickleover Sports Club, DE3 9FB
Saturday 5th September starts 930am | Turnditch and Windley Show, Meadow Farm, Windley and will commence with Horse & Pony events at 9.30 am.
Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th October | a maintenance weekend at Open day at the centre, Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, 1, Scarborough Avenue, Skegness, Lincolnshire, PE25 2SZ
Monday 12th October from 7pm until 11pm | The Himalayan Gurkha restaurant, 80 Macklin Street, Derby, DE1 1LF.
derbyshirechildrensholidaycentre.beaconforms.com/form/b41703e8
Thank you everyone for your support, now’s the time to get behind Xavier and Stuart in their epic feat, however you can support them will be greatly appreciated.
Janine Marie
Simon Evans
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Paediatric First Aid Training – Limited Places Available
Do you work in a nursery, preschool or early years setting and need to gain or renew your Paediatric First Aid qualification?
We have a small number of places available on our upcoming course:
📅 Thursday 23rd July
🕙 10.00am – 5.00pm
📍 Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre, 1 Scarborough Avenue, Skegness
💷 £75 per person
This is a blended 2-day course, comprising:
✅ One day of online e-learning (completed beforehand at a time that suits you)
✅ One day of face-to-face practical training
You'll receive:
✔️ A 3-year Paediatric First Aid certificate
✔️ FAIB accredited qualification
✔️ Training delivered by an experienced, child-focused trainer
Whether you're starting a new role, renewing your qualification or ensuring your setting remains compliant, this is an excellent value course.
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
📧 To book or find out more, email [email protected].
This content isn't available at the moment
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it, or it's been deleted.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
💙 A Legacy of Kindness Across the Generations💙
One of the most special moments from our 135th Anniversary Afternoon Tea on Sunday was welcoming these five wonderful sisters, who joined us in memory of their parents, Margaret and Barry Wilson.
Margaret and Barry were loyal, long-standing supporters of Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre, believing passionately in giving children the opportunity to enjoy a happy holiday by the sea. It was incredibly moving to see their daughters with us, continuing the generosity and compassion that their parents demonstrated throughout their lives.
When Barry sadly passed away in 2021, during the Covid pandemic, the family chose to support Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre through donations in his memory. Because of the restrictions at the time, they were unable to celebrate his life in the way they had hoped.
Following Margaret's passing in July last year, the family held a joint memorial service to celebrate both their parents' lives, once again asking for donations to Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre in lieu of flowers.
Those gifts have become a lasting legacy. Every donation received in memory of a loved one helps us create precious childhood memories for children who desperately need a break from the challenges they face at home. It is a beautiful way for someone's kindness and values to live on, touching the lives of children they may never meet.
If you've ever wondered how you can leave a lasting impact, there are many ways to do so. Some families choose to request donations to a charity instead of flowers at a funeral, while others decide to leave a gift in their Will. If either is something you would like to consider, speak to your solicitor when making or updating your Will, share your wishes with your loved ones, or let your funeral director know when arrangements are being made.
To the Wilson family, thank you. It was an honour to spend time with you on Sunday and to celebrate the remarkable legacy of Margaret and Barry. Their kindness continues to make a real difference, giving Derbyshire children the chance to enjoy the gift of a seaside holiday and create memories that will stay with them forever.
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
Margaret and Barry were lovely, caring people and the same may be said of their daughters. It was a pleasure to see you all again
Helen Fitchett what a beautiful thing to do... absolutely love this... giving children a seaside holiday.. from a beautiful family. Xxxxxx 🥰
It was a privilege to be able to represent Mum & Dad at your event. We had a lovely afternoon, especially talking to people who remember them so fondly. I think I speak for my sisters by saying that we would love to visit future events to continue the Wilson family support for your amazing charity. Thank you for having us 💕
It's getting exciting! There's only one week before it begins.
Starting on the 7th July and running 11th July 2026 Stuart Boon and Xavier Andrews will start on their Who Knew MEGA-walk to raise money for the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre.
Last year they raised £1907 by walking from Derby to Blackpool, for 2026 they have developed a new plan whilst working with us to raise further funds for the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre (DCHC).
Both Xavier and Stuart are passionate about the charity which has meant so much to Stuart since he was a child.
Our aim with the ‘Who Knew Walk’ is to raise awareness of the numerous Derbyshire towns where the charity engages with disadvantaged children and who are able to enjoy a holiday at our home in Skegness.
The walk will take them from Glossop to Buxton; Buxton to Chesterfield; Chesterfield to Belper; Belper to Derby via Heanor and Kilburn before their final leg from Derby to Swadlincote.
A total of 102 miles; the same distance that our children's holiday centre in Skegness is from Derby.
We hope you’ll be able to support them in their mission to raise £2000. Their JustGiving page is provided below:-
www.justgiving.com/page/stuart-boon
If you'd like to see more information about our charity feel free to use the links below:-
General website
dchc.org.uk/
Events
dchc.org.uk/events/
Volunteering
dchc.org.uk/volunteering/
Thank you for your support, and thank you Stuart and Xavier for going the extra 102 miles!
Janine Marie
Simon Evans
Lee Jepson
Stuart Boon
Xavier Andrews
#dchc135 #skegness
Stuart Boon and Xavier Andrews fundraiser MEGA-WALK for Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre
www.justgiving.com
Help Simon Evans raise money to support Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre0 CommentsComment on Facebook
💙 WOW… £14,500! THANK YOU! 💙
Yesterday was a truly special day as we celebrated our 135th Anniversary Afternoon Tea at Repton School, and we’re still overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity shown by everyone who came along.
Together, you helped raise an incredible £14,500.
What does that mean?
It means that more Derbyshire children facing difficult circumstances will have the chance to enjoy something many of us take for granted—a holiday.
For many of the children we support, it will be their very first time seeing the sea. They’ll paddle in the waves, build sandcastles, laugh with new friends, enjoy fish and chips by the coast, discover new places and, perhaps most importantly, have the chance to simply be children.
These holidays don’t just create happy memories. They build confidence, friendships, resilience and hope—memories that many children carry with them for the rest of their lives.
This incredible event simply wouldn’t have happened without so many wonderful people.
A particularly heartfelt thank you goes to our trustee Ben Robinson, whose passion, energy and commitment to giving back to the community drove this event from start to finish. Ben worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring everything together, and we are so grateful for everything he has done.
A huge thank you to Charles Hanson, who once again gave his time so generously to host the afternoon and our charity auction with such warmth, humour and professionalism.
Thank you to everyone who donated such amazing auction and raffle prizes, and to everyone who bid, bought raffle tickets or made a donation. Every single contribution makes a real difference.
We’re incredibly grateful to Repton School for hosting us so beautifully, to Alan Shepherd and the Repton bar team for going above and beyond throughout the afternoon, and to Ed Stanton and the team at Scorpion Events for providing the electrical infrastructure and event equipment that helped everything run seamlessly.
And to our amazing volunteers—thank you. From setting up the marquee and selling raffle tickets to welcoming guests and clearing away afterwards, your enthusiasm and hard work were simply outstanding.
Finally, thank you to every guest who came to celebrate with us. Your support means that more children across Derbyshire will have the opportunity to experience the magic of the seaside, perhaps for the very first time.
From all of us at Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre…
Thank you for believing that every child deserves the chance to make happy childhood memories. ❤️
#ThankYou #DCHC135 #GiftOfTheSeaside #Community #Charity #Derbyshire #Fundraising #MakingMemories
9 CommentsComment on Facebook
What a fantastic result ! Well done to all concerned !
Lost for words other than FANTASTIC result.
Fabulous!!
For 135 years, Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre has been changing children's lives through the simple magic of a seaside holiday.
Today, we're proud to premiere our brand-new video, beautifully produced by AV IT Media and Mark Averill. 🎥
We hope it gives you a glimpse of the laughter, friendships, confidence and memories that our holidays create for children who desperately need a break from the challenges they face at home.
For many of our children, this isn't just a holiday...
🌊 It's their first time seeing the sea.
🍦 Their first ice cream on the beach.
😊 Their first chance in a long time to simply be a child.
As we celebrate our 135th anniversary, we're asking you to help ensure that this life-changing tradition continues for generations to come by becoming a regular supporter.
💙 £32 a month pays for an entire holiday for one child.
🚌 £15 a month pays for their transport and activities.
🍦 £5 a month helps provide ice creams, treats and those magical little moments they'll remember forever.
Every monthly gift, whatever the amount, helps a child experience safety, friendship, fun and hope.
Please consider becoming part of their story today.
👉 Support our 135th Anniversary Appeal here:
[derbyshirechildrensholidaycentre.beaconforms.com/form/8d2217cd]
❤️ Were you one of our holiday children?
Perhaps you came to us as a child many years ago—whether you remember us as Derby Children's Seaside Home or Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre.
We would absolutely love to hear your story.
We're building a growing community of former holidaymakers and discovering the incredible journeys our children have gone on to take. Your memories are an important part of our history and we'd love to reconnect.
Please get in touch at [email protected](mailto:[email protected])
Please watch, share and help us give another child the gift of the seaside.
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
