Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre Reopens in Skegness after Fundraising Campaign
By Charities Correspondent
A Derbyshire charity which provides free seaside holidays for disadvantaged children has reopened its Skegness holiday centre after a two-year break.
The Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre welcomed 17 children from Derby for a free week-long stay on the Lincolnshire coast during the second May bank holiday week of 2026.
The visit marked the first time the charity has been able to offer children’s holidays since pausing operations in 2024 while it launched a major fundraising campaign aimed at securing the organisation’s future.
Two coach loads of pupils from Springfield Primary School and Borrow Wood Primary School in Spondon travelled to Skegness for the charity break, which included seaside activities, games and time away from home.
Chief executive Janine Holmes said reopening the much-loved “Skeggy home” had been a major milestone for the charity after months of fundraising and planning.
She said:
“We have worked very hard in 2025 to raise funds and work out a sustainable new way forward for the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday and I can’t express how pleased I am that we have been able to open up our doors this week and provide holidays for children from two Derby schools who are really going to benefit.
“Trustees, volunteers, fundraisers and so many more have worked very hard to get us to this point - but seeing the children’s excited faces as they joined us to have a week in Skegness made it all worthwhile. And the weather couldn’t have been kinder to us too!”
The Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, founded in 1891, provides free holidays in Skegness for children who may not otherwise get the chance to go away, including those from struggling families or young carers.
Children are nominated by schools across Derbyshire if teachers believe they would benefit from the experience and time away.
The charity’s temporary closure in 2024 prompted a huge public response, with supporters raising tens of thousands of pounds through fundraising events, donations and community campaigns.
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Among the fundraising efforts were donations from Derby Telegraph readers and money raised through events such as the Cosy Bike & Hike.
Springfield Primary School headteacher David Blackwell said the holidays had a lasting impact on pupils’ wellbeing and confidence.
He said:
“We’re delighted that some of our pupils are getting this opportunity, we have used holiday clubs and kids’ camps for many years and have seen the really positive impact on pupils, on their enjoyment and their wellbeing.
“It’s just a fantastic thing to be able to give to them and we are very appreciative for everybody who gives them that opportunity. Some of our pupils felt very strongly about the pause in the charity and raised a lot of money for them.”
Among the children enjoying the Skegness holiday this year were nine-year-old triplets Poppy, Toby and Mercy.
Their mum said:
“I’m excited for them! My son went to Skeggy home as well. He enjoyed it.”
Ms Holmes thanked volunteers, supporters and fundraisers who helped bring the Derbyshire charity back into operation.
She added:
“I’d like to offer a heartfelt thank you to so many people and Derby Telegraph readers who have done so much to get our charity back on its feet. I’d also like to thank volunteers who have come forward to help us give children a really great week. Our charity exists to put smiles on the faces of children who need a break and we’re very happy to be doing just that.”
