Holidays taken   Please scroll down to read all about the happy holidays taken... The Harris Family – October Half Term Holiday to Devon Chloe was born with an incurable metabolic condition (NKH) and requires 24/7 full time care. It’s tiring, which has an impact on our two boys, so to be able to go away somewhere at half term and get away from the routine environment really gave us a wonderful break. Home has a constant flow of support workers, physio’s, occupational therapists, and nurses’ meaning Sally is always on the go. Going away anywhere overnight is a military operation – we always have to take two cars and prepare for anything and everything. It’s really difficult to get the motivation together to go through all that, when the easy option is to stay at home and play on the Wii. For someone to help find a beautiful house in a beautiful part of the country and extend it to us to use for a week is so kind, that we didn’t have to think twice. We did so much and managed so well – we can go away for more than one night with Chloe and everything is fine – yes, it was still tiring, but we actually forgot all that until we got home and realised what we’d achieved. The boys had a lovely week and it was nice for them to spend time with Chloe. It was nice for Sally and Dave to spend time with Toby, Chloe and Charlie and not be restricted to when the next appointment is and break the normal routine. Our thanks go to Give Them a Break and Mark and Lorraine who owned The Parlour for giving us a much needed break in a lovely house and a beautiful part of the Devon.

The Oakley Family Helen Oakley, now aged 14, has an incurable, inherited metabolic disorder called Glutaric Aciduria type I. Helen’s rare medical condition, along with the severe disability it caused, makes normal family holidays extremely difficult. The project ‘Give them a break’ has enabled all four of the Oakley’s to take time away from their home surroundings and routine and spend time together as a family enjoying a break in the West Country. The family, which includes mum Sandra, dad Kevin and younger brother Stuart were therefore delighted to have an Easter break at the seaside. ‘There is so much to organise whenever we plan to go away, that sometimes it’s easier not to even try’ said Sandra ‘ this holiday came just at the right time, during the Easter break, so that we could have a family holiday by the sea just like others do’ Helen and her family are supported by Helen House in Oxfordshire, one of the many Children’s Hospices in the UK. The family took part in the 2007 BBC 2 documentary ‘The Children of Helen House’. At that time the family were trying to plan a desperately needed break with their son whilst having to put considerable trust in the team at Helen House to look after Helen while they were away. The documentary revealed the real strain for a family having to cope with a life threatening illness. This project is supported by Farm & Cottage Holidays & Stay in Devon