Charity unveils ‘One in a Million’ fundraising campaign to complete its building project. Juliet Dennis reports


R


euben’s Retreat is calling on the travel industry to support a fundraising campaign


to complete its build. Set to be officially launched at


this week’s Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards 2025, the ‘One in a Million’ campaign will enable the charity to finish the building project it launched 11 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. Founder Nicola Graham (pictured)


credited the industry as instrumental in its support since she set up the organisation in her son’s name. The charity hopes to raise the


£1 million remaining build funds within 23 months – the age Reuben (pictured) was when he died in 2012 after suffering an aggressive brain tumour. The target mirrors the charity’s original campaign in 2012 to raise the initial £1 million, which it achieved by the summer of 2014. “Our original vision was to


raise £1 million in 23 months for Reuben’s Retreat,” said Graham, adding: “There is something beautiful in circling back to do the final million in 23 months.” The charity bought the site in 2014 – before it had raised its first £1 million – and work started on the lodge, now the main office, in 2015. By the time the work is complete,


the charity estimates it will have spent more than £6 million on the build. The fundraising won’t


12 16 JANUARY 2025


We would not be


doing this if it wasn’t for the travel industry, if I hadn’t had all this experience in my career


stop there, however. “It will cost approximately £1 million a year to provide annual support for families at the retreat, so we cannot forget that – it’s a balancing act,” said Graham.


Accommodation suites The campaign will fund four accommodation ‘suites’ for bereaved families or those with children with complex medical needs. These will each allow six to eight family members to stay at the retreat for a break away from home. Two of the suites will be on the ground floor and fully accessible, with an interconnecting suite to allow larger family groups of up to 12. Two further suites will be located on the upper floor. “The ultimate goal has always


been to complete the retreat so families can stay and make memories; that vision is now within reach with the love and support of the travel industry,” said Graham. Graham credited her experience


of working in the trade – she was at Red Sea Holidays when Reuben died – and the family’s own holidays, for making her realise the importance of making memories.


“We would not be doing this


if it wasn’t for the travel industry, if I hadn’t had all this experience in my career,” she said. “I started in the industry as


a modern apprentice at 16 and throughout my career I’ve had many wonderful experiences, from college right through to ship launches on the biggest liners in the world with my husband and my two kids, for whom travel was part of their upbringing. “This was part of their education;


without all those experiences I would not have been able to bring these learnings to Reuben’s Retreat.” Providing a place to stay is a


vital part of Graham’s vision. She said: “Families of children


with complex medical needs would not ordinarily get the opportunity to go on holiday and make memories, often due to poor accessibility, availability and increased costs. We wanted to create a place where families could enjoy time away together. Having lost Reuben, I hold holiday memories like pieces of treasure close to my heart. Every family deserves the opportunity to be together.”


‘Huge difference’ The facility will offer countless benefits to families in need – and could be one of very few in the country, particularly for larger family groups, according to Graham.


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