The charity, which provides UK breaks to those facing some of the toughest issues life can deliver, is challenging itself to have its “best year ever”, according to new chief executive Kat Lee.

 
Lee, who joined on 6 January, was previously head of youth programmes at Girlguiding and involved in the biggest overhaul of the charity’s history, working to make sure its activities were “more inclusive and fit for purpose”.

Prior to that, she worked at the Houses of Parliament and The Science Museum, focusing on making the London attractions more accessible to young people and families from different backgrounds.

Having “not known very much” about the FHA before researching its work when applying for the position, Lee told TTG the stories of how the organisation’s work had benefited those it helped “captured her imagination”.

Vital break

Whether it’s a few nights in a caravan on the coast or a day out to a tourist attraction at the seaside, the FHA says it aims to bring sunshine to the lives of families facing challenges, from domestic issues to health problems.

“I was reading of families who have never seen the sea before or children saying their break was the first time they saw their parents hold hands – it shows the real impact,” she said.

From her background in the charity and education sector, Lee said she could see more families “facing increasingly difficult circumstances” in recent years.

“A weekend at the seaside might not sound like much, but that break from the difficult day-to-day is so important.”

In 2019, Lee said the FHA enjoyed “a fantastic year” providing breaks to just over 4,800 families – accounting for more than 18,000 people.

Travel sector help was “absolutely vital” in delivering that respite, with a number of the industry’s charitable efforts supporting the FHA.

Among the heroics were Clia’s Cycle to the Ball challenge in December, which funded breaks for 200 families, while Abta’s John de Vial raised more than £11,000 after completing his sixth consecutive marathon for the charity.

This year will see a mix of new and returning events to help the FHA raise cash.

Half of its annual events fundraising is collected from the London Marathon – with a 31-person team (including TTG Media’s Daniel Pearce, Tom Parry and Becca Luke) set to hit the capital’s streets on 26 April.

Later in the year, the FHA will offer a new “once-in-a-lifetime” five-day 100km trek across the Sahara desert.

Lee said the FHA was also looking to increase awareness of its work and the “tangible benefits” its breaks have.

The charity released its first “long-term” impacts report this week and met with MP Hannah Bardell to discuss ways to work more closely with Westminster.

“That’s an area we’re looking to focus on this year, so watch this space,” said Lee. “We want to step things up.”