Luke Tillen and his team at Babbacombe-based charity, Torbay Holiday Helpers Network (THHN), are only too aware of how important holiday memories are for those families who experience a THHN Holiday. The THHN gives free holidays to families who have seriously ill and bereaved children, recently bereaved families, couples who have lost a child and to families who have a terminally ill parent. Now, thanks to the Rotary Club of Torquay, when families come on a THHN holiday they’ll also be given a Memory Book. This great new idea is essentially a scrapbook so that families can record what they get up to whilst on their holiday.
Luke says “We can’t thank the Rotary Club of Torquay enough for these great new books. They have generously donated 500 books to us and they have received a great reception from the families that we’ve given them to so far. All families that have a THHN holiday do so because they’ve been referred to us by a charity or medical professional who knows how important a bit of time away is for them. These books give an opportunity for everyone to make notes about what they did, keep leaflets, put photos in or just doodle away however they choose. I’m delighted with them and think they will be an important part of providing families with the memories of their holiday long after they return home.”
Viv Daubenspeck, who was the 2012/2013 President of the Rotary Club of Torquay, is a keen supporter of Luke and the work of the THHN. She said “The THHN is a great charity and I am so impressed by how Luke has run it over the past 4 years. In fact, earlier this year the Rotary Club of Torquay made Luke a Paul Harris Fellow, the highest award we can bestow on anyone. We were also very keen to provide some tangible support for what he does. Donating the Memory Books seemed the perfect idea. I know how vital these holidays are for many families and hopefully these books will provide another way for the charity to help them remember the fun times they have spent together.”
For more information on the work of the THHN, how families are referred to receive holidays, or how you can help, visit www.thhn.co.uk.