Objectives, achievements and performance

In 2024, we expanded how we support families who are facing tough times.
One of our key developments was the launch of our Holiday Information & Guidance service - a new way to help families plan and book their own breaks, even when we’re not funding the holiday directly.

We laid the groundwork for a shift in our delivery model that will allow us to offer more breaks using donated accommodation, meaning we'll be able to help more families get time away.

Over the summer, we trialled a new approach to public engagement, taking the charity to the seaside with weekend events in Weymouth and Eastbourne. These face-to-face activities encouraged people to share their own holiday memories and reflect on why time away is so valuable for families. The events helped raise awareness of our work in a fresh, accessible way and were made possible in part thanks to support from VisitEngland.

Inside the charity, we embedded a new Equality, Diversity & Inclusion plan, completed a full remuneration review, and continued investing in our team to ensure the team remains equipped and motivated to deliver our mission.

Delivery of holidays

We exceeded our planned target to send families away and delivered over 1600 days of sunshine.

Many of the families we supported had never had a break before - 61% were experiencing their first ever holiday. After their time away:

• 80% reported improvements in wellbeing and family relationships.
• 76% said they felt a renewed sense of hope.

We piloted two group holidays and successfully trialled holidays using donated accommodation, helping us test new ways to expand access. With 63 holidays already booked for 2025, we’re entering the new year ready to make an even bigger difference.

Fundraising

Despite a challenging economic climate, our supporters continued to go the extra mile. The London Marathon saw 38 runners raise nearly £70,000, our best-ever result from the event. Our Big Give Christmas appeal was also a record-breaker, bringing in £29,366.

We welcomed support from multiple new charitable trusts, and our partnership with Bluestone Wales continued, with £23,000 worth of holiday stock donated. We also improved how we connect with our supporters - introducing a new CRM, growing our social media presence, and running new digital campaigns to expand our reach.

What’s next for Family Holiday Charity?

2025 marks our 50th anniversary, and we’re preparing for a big year ahead.
We’ll be:

• Scaling up our donated-stock holiday programme, using a new platform to make access easier for families.
• Growing our network of corporate partners and testing new ways to bring in supporters.
• Expanding our Holiday Information & Guidance service to help more families plan their own breaks.
• Continuing to invest in our CRM system to improve donor journeys and supporter experience.
• Recruiting a new CEO and conducting a governance review to keep our leadership future-ready.
• Driving forward our Equality Diversity and Inclusion strategy by promoting inclusive tourism across the sector.

Our vision remains the same: a world where every family facing tough times gets the chance to experience the joy of a holiday. And in 2025, we’re taking bold steps to get even closer to that goal.