A children’s charity based has received a donation of more than £36,500 from Nottingham-based Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Midlands.

Ben’s Den, based in Ilkeston, is a charity that offers free caravan holidays for families with children who have been diagnosed with cancer. The charity was set up in memory of Ben Parker who passed away at aged 13 in 2003, following a three-year battle with leukaemia.

 

The developer selected Ben’s Den as its Charity of the Year in January 2021, with employees from all sectors of the business working hard throughout the year to raise money. Barratt and David Wilson Homes has since raised £36,547 for the charity, and Ben’s Den has put the money towards purchasing a new caravan, as well as installing a new veranda.

Tracey Parker, Ben’s mother and founder of Ben’s Den, said: “We were amazed to find out how much Barratt and David Wilson Homes was able to raise over the year for Ben’s Den. The support means that we can continue to provide much needed holidays so that vital memories can be made.

“We plan to put the donation towards a new veranda, as well as putting the money towards a new caravan. We’d like to give a huge thank you to Barratt and David Wilson Homes for making this happen.”

Ben’s Den was set up in March 2004, with a fundraiser that raised £11,000, enabling the charity to buy a caravan at the Haven holiday site in Mablethorpe, which became the first ‘Ben’s Den’.

The Mablethorpe location was selected for a nice seaside setting and family atmosphere, but also because it isn’t far for families with ill children to travel, in case a hospital visit is needed. Families are able to book and cancel getaways at short notice, as the charity understands the unpredictable nature of having a child that may need a hospital visit or bed rest suddenly.

Mark Cotes, Managing Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Midlands, said: “We are delighted that we were able to raise £36,547 for Ben’s Den, as well as having the chance to renovate one of its caravans to make it fully accessible.

“Well done to all our volunteers who worked so hard in their fundraising efforts, and to our staff that have helped to increase our total raised by donating. The work that the charity carries out is admirable and we’re very grateful to have had this opportunity to raise vital funds for such a worthwhile cause.”