Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre

9 hours ago

🚀 We launch TOMORROW!
From 12pm tomorrow until 12pm on 9 December, every donation to DCHC will be doubled by The Big Give and our matched funding champion donor!
Your support could give twice as many children a safe, warm place to sleep when we reopen in 2026.
Get ready to make your gift go further! 💛
Bookmark for tomorrow! donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS000006X80AYAS
#BigGive #christmaschallenge ... See MoreSee Less

Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre

1 day ago

✨ Two days to go!✨
From 2–9 December, online donations to DCHC will be DOUBLED through the Big Give #ChristmasChallenge.
Your support could give twice as many Derbyshire children a safe bed and a brighter start.
Let’s do this together. 💛
Bookmark this page! donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS000006X80AYAS ... See MoreSee Less

Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre

3 days ago

🖤 Black Friday Save to Give

Black Friday is all about saving —
and next Tuesday 2 December, you can make those savings count. 💛

Put away what you might have spent today and instead DOUBLE your impact on Tuesday when The Big Give campaign opens.

Your donation could become:
🛏 A safe, warm bed
🍽 Proper meals every day
🌊 A seaside break they’ll never forget
💛 A chance to feel seen, safe & supported

Save today. Give Tuesday. Change a child’s Christmas.
👉 Set a reminder: donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS000006X80AYAS

#BlackFriday #SaveToGive #BigGive #ChristmasChallenge ... See MoreSee Less

Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre

4 days ago

📢 It's time to meet another member of our team! 📢

This week, it's the turn of our long-standing chair, Mike Copestake.

❓Why did you get involved with the DCHC?

I became a trustee in the early 1980s. Nigel Thorpe was the Chair and needed a lawyer. I was well and truly hooked. I've always been interested in giving children with less life chances a leg up and the Charity has enabled me to make a small contribution towards this.

Over the years I have seen each of our Centre Managers pour an enormous amount of love and care into their guests. None more so than our current Centre Manager, Ali Byerley. What immediately attracted me was the transformative effect of a holiday in Skegness on the children who went. It wasn't just a holiday, although all the children I saw seemed to be enjoying themselves. It seemed to give children a glimpse into what was possible for them in Life. Schools report better attendance in class from children who go to the Centre. A number of ex alumni have certainly gone on to achieve success in all sorts of areas. I would like to think that the Charity has helped them in a small way.

❓What does your role involve?

Initially I joined as a lawyer, since when I have helped the Charity handle all sorts ranging from constitutional issues, fundraising, betting, childcare, property matters, employment etc. I was a Corporate Lawyer and one unusual event was when I helped a client avoid a significant amount of tax in exchange for a large donation to the Charity.

I have managed a couple of bike rides to Skegness, a solo parachute jump, a marathon and quite a few half marathons – all to raise money.

As Chair my role is to help our very capable CEO, Janine Holmes, including being a sounding board, helping with fundraising, advice on constitutional matters, setting the agenda for board meetings and chairing them.

My company, Great Northern Classics Derby, holds a regular open day for the Charity. I also make myself available for our very competent board of trustees when required.

❓Best moments?

Best moments are when I go to the Centre and see the children, playing table football, pool and air hockey with them. I'm afraid I didn’t have the nerve to get on to the Raging (rodeo style) Bull.

One memorable moment was when I went to give a careers talk to the children and asked what they wanted to be when they grew up. A lad at the front said he couldn’t make his mind up whether he wanted to be a nuclear physicist or a tattoo artist!

Other memorable moments were reopening in the 90s after we had to pause holidays when local authorities withdrew funding and this year when we announced that we would be reopening in 2026.

❓Best thing about Skegness?

Apart from the Centre – a walk along the promenade and fish and chips.

❓Coast or countryside?

Being Derbyshire Born and Bred I have to say the countryside. I love walking in the Peaks and visiting mountainous countries. I am proud to confess that I am a landlubber!!! ... See MoreSee Less