The Merseyside Children’s Holiday Fund started in 1967, becoming a registered charity in 1990, 702960.

The aim of the Charity is to provide a holiday for disadvantaged children from Liverpool. This has always taken place in August at the Colomendy Camp at Loggerheads near Mold in North Wales.  August was chosen as the summer holidays are a long period for parents to keep their children occupied and can be very stressful for them.

The children, about 60 in number, are chosen by local schools. The Charity tends to select a few schools in a particular area each year, visits the Head Teacher to explain about the Charity and the holiday provided and asks them to invite the children after obtaining the parent’s consent. The only stipulation set down is that the children must be on free school meals to ensure that the family has low means. The Charity tends to choose the same schools in the same area for a few years before moving on to another part of the City.

The Charity does not request or receive any money for the holiday from the parents. The only suggestion is that the parents give their children some pocket money.

On a normal week the Charity would take the children on many walks in the area around Colomendy including Moel Famau. In general the children are not used to walking in the countryside and Colomendy is in an area of outstanding natural beauty. They are also taken on trips to the cinema, beach, local parks, a swimming bath with a wave machine and on a boat trip by sea to Llandudno. Within the Camp itself the children play outdoor games with the varied equipment provided by the Camp and indoor activities are also provided.  Altogether an excellent holiday is provided.

The Charity has a good core number of staff,  who  help at the Camp each year, but others are asked who would fit in and work hard. Generally there will be 20 staff. They do not receive any payment and give up their time freely. They are all Disclosure and Barring Service, Enhanced, (DBS) checked.  There are about ten helpers who are young (18 to 21) and who are committed and eager to help and the future is secure for willing staff. One such member chose to help at the Camp rather than a holiday in Thailand!

The Rotary Club of the City of Liverpool, originally under its earlier name of the Rotary Club of Liverpool, was instrumental in the founding of the Organisation in 1967 and has continued to be involved and to provide financial and practical support without a break since that date, a proud record of almost 60 years.Â