phil walker
Phil's 200 miler
Fundraising for Heroes Haven
Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
About Heroes Haven SwanageThis project started in March 2010, when it came to the attention of some Swanage people that a young lad called Jack Otter, who had been visiting Swanage for the past ten years to enjoy the annual carnival; could no longer have holidays in his favourite town. In September 2009, he had suffered severe injuries when on patrol in Afghanistan and an IED (Improvised Explosive...
Device) blew up, he lost both his legs and one arm.
We also found out that there is over 200 servicemen/women suffering with similar disabilities from recent conflicts, and some of these have young children, they would all welcome a holiday with their families. Carers also need respite, the trauma of caring for such disabled people takes its toll, and they also need a break.
Information came about that there aren’t specialised facilities for disabled servicemen like Jack, to enjoy normal family holidays in the area of Purbeck, in view of this it was decided by a small group of people that they would raise the money to purchase a custom built lodge, designed and built to accommodate the most severely disabled and to have it sited on a local holiday park.
Forming a company called Heroes Haven Swanage and becoming a registered charity, the challenge was to raise the funds, estimated at that time to be approx £75,000 to purchase the cabin. This had been designed by Devon Pine Lodges, its overall size is 41’ x 20’ and comprises of lounge, dining area, kitchen, and two twin bedded rooms, both with dressing room, wet rooms and a separate cloakroom.
UPDATE:
With tremendous support from local organisations and individuals, the cost of the cabin and the landscaping has been met, this being far above the original estimate due to the stringent requirements of the local authority. Ongoing fundraising will continue to help cover the upkeep and maintenance of all. Every penny that is donated to Heroes Haven Swanage is only used as above, everyone running this project are volunteers.
The completed cabin was placed on site in December 2011, sitting in its own grounds; it is surrounded by gardens specially designed for those people suffering with post traumatic stress.
We also found out that there is over 200 servicemen/women suffering with similar disabilities from recent conflicts, and some of these have young children, they would all welcome a holiday with their families. Carers also need respite, the trauma of caring for such disabled people takes its toll, and they also need a break.
Information came about that there aren’t specialised facilities for disabled servicemen like Jack, to enjoy normal family holidays in the area of Purbeck, in view of this it was decided by a small group of people that they would raise the money to purchase a custom built lodge, designed and built to accommodate the most severely disabled and to have it sited on a local holiday park.
Forming a company called Heroes Haven Swanage and becoming a registered charity, the challenge was to raise the funds, estimated at that time to be approx £75,000 to purchase the cabin. This had been designed by Devon Pine Lodges, its overall size is 41’ x 20’ and comprises of lounge, dining area, kitchen, and two twin bedded rooms, both with dressing room, wet rooms and a separate cloakroom.
UPDATE:
With tremendous support from local organisations and individuals, the cost of the cabin and the landscaping has been met, this being far above the original estimate due to the stringent requirements of the local authority. Ongoing fundraising will continue to help cover the upkeep and maintenance of all. Every penny that is donated to Heroes Haven Swanage is only used as above, everyone running this project are volunteers.
The completed cabin was placed on site in December 2011, sitting in its own grounds; it is surrounded by gardens specially designed for those people suffering with post traumatic stress.