This year marks a very special milestone for everyone at The Principle Trust Children’s Charity as we celebrate 15 years of supporting children across Yorkshire.
What began as one man’s vision to help children facing adversity has grown into a charity that has now raised more than £2.26 million and provided over 6,000 children and their families with free, life-changing respite breaks.
As we reflect on the past 15 years, we’re incredibly proud of what has been achieved, but even more excited about the future.
Our Story
The Principle Trust Children’s Charity was founded in 2011 by Mike Davies MBE, inspired by his own childhood.
Mike lost his mother to cancer when he was just five years old. Growing up in difficult circumstances, he understood first-hand how challenging childhood can be when life feels overwhelming. Family holidays were simply out of reach, and he recognised how something many of us take for granted could mean the world to a child.
Determined to make a difference, Mike founded The Principle Trust to provide free respite breaks for children facing adversity, not only those experiencing bereavement, but also families living with poverty, trauma, abuse, serious illness, disability and other significant life challenges.
Fifteen years later, that vision continues to change lives across Yorkshire.
From One Respite Home to Eight
Over the years, we’ve grown from a small founder-led charity into a trusted regional organisation supporting more than 300 families every year.
Today, our eight respite homes across Blackpool, Filey and the Lake District offer families the opportunity to step away from everyday pressures, reconnect with one another and create lasting memories together.
Families are referred to us by an extensive network of trusted professionals, including schools, social workers, healthcare teams, children’s hospices and fellow charities, ensuring our support reaches those who need it most.
More Than a Holiday
To many people, a holiday is something to look forward to.
For the families we support, it’s often something they never imagined would be possible.
Time and again, parents tell us that a respite break has helped them reconnect as a family, given them hope during incredibly difficult times and allowed their children to simply enjoy being children again.
One parent told us:
“Before the break I didn’t have the confidence to go very far with the children. I felt very isolated and lost. The break away gave us the chance to be together and create wonderful memories, which the children still talk about today. It gave me hope when I had none.”
These stories are why we do what we do.
Responding to Yorkshire’s Growing Mental Health Challenge
Over the past few years, we’ve seen a significant increase in referrals for children experiencing poor mental health, emotional distress and the lasting effects of trauma.
That’s why, in Winter 2025, we refocused our mission to place an even greater emphasis on supporting children facing mental health challenges alongside other forms of adversity.
We know that a respite break is not a replacement for specialist mental health support, but we also know the value of giving families the time and space to rest, reconnect and create positive shared experiences together.
To strengthen this work, we’ve developed partnerships with organisations including:
- Bradford District and Craven Mind
- Leeds Mind
- Rotherham and Barnsley Mind
- Hull and East Yorkshire Mind
Together, we’re helping families access support that improves wellbeing both during and beyond their respite break.
None of This Would Be Possible Without You
Every week-long respite break and food hamper we provide is completely free.
That’s only possible because of our incredible community of patrons, fundraisers, businesses, grant-makers, volunteers and supporters who believe every child deserves the opportunity to make happy memories with their family.
We’re proud that, through our 100% donations policy, every penny from events and fundraising goes directly towards funding respite breaks for children and families.
To every person who has donated, fundraised, volunteered, attended an event or championed our work over the past 15 year, thank you.
You have helped create moments of joy, hope and togetherness for thousands of children across Yorkshire.
Celebrating 15 Years
To mark this incredible milestone, we’ll be celebrating with A Night at the Seaside on Saturday 26th September at the Queens Hotel, Leeds.
This immersive fundraising evening will celebrate everything we’ve achieved together over the past 15 years while helping us continue supporting even more children and families in the years ahead.
Looking Ahead
While we’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, we know our work is more important than ever.
Our ambition is to increase the number of respite breaks we provide from 300 to 375 families every year, while maintaining the exceptional experience every family deserves.
We’ll continue building partnerships with businesses, schools, community groups and supporters across Yorkshire who share our belief that every child deserves moments of joy, connection and hope.
Because after 15 years, our mission remains the same.
To help children and families facing adversity make memories that last.
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