The Family Holiday Association is a national charity that gives families a break. They work to promote the quality of family life for those parents and children who experience disadvantage as a result of poverty through the provision of and by promoting access to holidays and other recreational activities. In 2009 they expect to help over 1,600 families enjoy a break as a result of their grant-making programme. For the past 34 years the charity has been helping families access that important break away from home. But, despite directly helping 1,600 families this year, there are millions of other families missing out because of poverty and whom the charity can't possibly reach. But why was the charity set up in the first place and how important are breaks like these?

Joan and Patrick Laurance co-founded the Family Holiday Association in 1975 and has helped over 125,000 parents, children and young people to have a holiday. Pat Laurance passed away on 11 January 2008 aged 88.
In this digital story Joan Laurance talks about the work of the charity and her vision for the future.

www.fhaonline.org.uk (less info)