NEWS SPECIAL REPORT


Reuben’s Retreat’s is inviting travel businesses to sponsor bricks in its Brick By Brick campaign (top)


Building memories R


euben’s Retreat is urging more travel firms to support its Brick By Brick campaign as


chance to create lasting memories together, particularly those who might not have that opportunity otherwise.” This final scheme includes three


the final £1 million for the build by this autumn, following a campaign launched at the Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards in January 2025. Reuben’s Retreat founder


Nicola Graham said: “Ensuring continued support and visibility and facing challenges head on will be key to helping us maintain this momentum and deliver on our goal.” Work will then start on a two-year


programme to design, build and furnish four holiday suites. This will complete a project launched 12 years ago to convert a former hospital site in Derbyshire into a retreat for families of children with complex medical needs, or those who have lost a child.


Creating memories Graham said: “We hope to break ground this autumn. This vision is about more than a build; it’s about making sure more families have the


8 11 JUNE 2026


phases and represents a £2.7 million investment. It will deliver four sizeable self-catering holiday suites, including two fully accessible, specially designed spaces with hoist systems and generous layouts, ensuring more families can enjoy a break that truly meets their needs. Each space will be bespoke,


explained Graham. “We have a number of families with more than one wheelchair; we need to ensure that we cater for all,” she said. “This could be a family’s only opportunity to make memories.” She emphasised that positive


momentum and continued support are driving fundraising forward, despite the challenging geopolitical backdrop. As part of the final fundraising push, businesses and individuals across the industry are being invited to sponsor bricks. These will form part of a colourful ‘forever’ wall of gratitude in the heritage hallway near the new apartments.


it nears its fundraising target to complete the build. The charity is on track to raise


a build – it’s about making sure more families have the chance to create lasting memories together


Graham explained that every


engraved brick “tells a story” as part of the “living legacy of Reuben’s Retreat”. With donations at £123 per brick, some companies have created entire sections of the wall, incorporating their logos and personalising individual bricks with team and travel agency branch names.


Greater access to services Graham is keen for more high street brands to join the campaign and have their names featured on the wall. Travel firms including Travel Counsellors, Virgin Voyages, MSC Cruises and Panache Cruises have already pledged their support. Once complete, the retreat


will significantly widen access to its support services. Currently,


only families within a 1.5-hour return journey can realistically attend, leaving many who could benefit just out of reach. “Once we complete the


retreat, we can invite people from all over the UK – potentially worldwide – because they will be able to stay here,” said Graham. However, the fundraising will


not stop there, as it costs about £500,000 to run the retreat each year, and that figure is set to double. “I want to raise our profile


and strengthen our corporate partnerships. Expanding our presence in key areas will be vital to helping us reach the finish line,” she said. The travel industry


remains central to the charity’s ongoing mission. “It is the foundation of everything


we’re building,” Graham noted. “It is where I met my husband,


and now it’s also part of my son’s journey as he begins his career.” She added: “We are making


treasured memories for Reuben, and we would not be who we are without the travel industry. We feel so loved by this sector.”


travelweekly.co.uk


Reuben’s Retreat in last push for £1m before final build project starts in autumn. By Juliet Dennis This is more than


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