MAKING MEMORIES

Naseema will never forget the look of joy on her sons’ faces arriving at Primrose Valley holiday park, Scarborough, in October 2023. “I had done all their packing in secret and they slept the whole way in the car, so it was a huge surprise for them. Yusuf, my eldest, had been asking to go on holiday for quite a long time but, unfortunately, he had never been well enough, so it was their first-ever holiday – at three and seven years old – and they were both very excited.”

Yusuf, now eight, was born with a genetic blood disorder called beta thalassaemia major, which means that his red blood cells don’t work properly, so he has to have regular blood transfusions every three weeks at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and as things stand, he will need to for the rest of his life.

“You wouldn’t know there was anything wrong with Yusuf by looking at him, but his condition affects him in so many ways. He experiences fatigue, frequent nosebleeds and chronic pain, and he can’t walk far. He misses out on lots of things like trips and activities at school. It really gets him down and he does lash out a lot because there’s a lot of things he doesn’t understand, like why his little brother and friends don’t have to go through what he does, and why he keeps missing out.” In 2023, Naseema filled in a form for the charity Ruddi’s Retreat, who provide holidays for families with seriously ill children, as she knew Yusuf was desperate to go on holiday.

“I had heard about the charity through a group I’m in for mums with children with disabilities. I didn’t expect anything but was thrilled when they offered us a holiday! “We stayed right by the beach in Scarborough and the boys loved spending time there collecting shells. They also enjoyed visiting Scarborough castle and Castle Howard. There were lots of activities, entertainment and arcades onsite at the holiday park – as well as games consoles and board games in the caravan – so even on the days Yusuf couldn’t walk much or we couldn’t venture out there was plenty to do.”

In 2024, Naseema and her family went on another holiday hosted by Ruddi’s Retreat, to Newton Hall in Blackpool. “The boys were excited to be going away again. Blackpool has many activities, so the kids had a great time at the beach, the Sealife Centre, Madame Tussauds and Blackpool Tower. They still talk about all the things they got to see and do.” Naseema and her family are incredibly grateful to Ruddi’s Retreat for helping them to create such precious memories.

“People don’t realise just how much a little break away means when you’re struggling at home. It allowed us to get away from the stresses of everyday life living with sickness, appointments, meltdowns and other hardships. It was reassuring to know we were still close enough to take him to his consultant if needed, and the charity gave us a file with details of the nearest hospital and other facilities we might need, so we didn’t have to worry about anything.”

THE CANDIS BIG GIVE AMOUNT RAISED: £10,000

• Ruddi’s Retreat is named after Ruddi Waterworth-Jones, who faced a terrible battle to survive cancer. His mum, Ali, wanted something positive to come from their ordeal so started the charity for families to get a seaside holiday.
• The charity provides children living with cancer or other life-limiting illnesses and their families with a respite break at one of its five accessible and fully kitted out caravans based at Primrose Valley in Filey, North Yorkshire, and Newton Hall in Blackpool, Lancashire. It provides holidays for around 400 families each season, which is from March until Christmas, for either seven nights in term time or three to four nights in school holidays.
• Many families affected by childhood illness take a drop in income, meaning they are unable to afford a holiday, so these breaks will allow families to relax, and create precious family memories.
• All caravans except for one are fully accessible by ramp. One is completely fully accessible with a wet room, sliding doors, lowered kitchen and ceiling trapeze track hoist. The caravans have everything the families need.
• The funds raised will ensure 40 families will receive a respite break at one of the charity’s caravans complete with full park/activity passes.
• Visit ruddisretreat.org