A Bit of a Break

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A Bit of a Break

We source unfilled weeks in holiday properties to gift to people receiving palliative care. We would love to hear from you!

A Bit of a Break is the legacy of Angela Sturgeon who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2011 and campaign tirelessly, raising a total of over £50,000 for cancer-related charities. She loved spending precious time away with her family and friends where she could have a break from hospitals and treatment, feel normal again and build lasting memories. Keen to help others in a similar situation, An

gela, along with a small group of family and friends, set up A Bit of a Break to do just that. Today, A Bit of a Break is a registered charity that is small but growing as new property owners, referrers and supporters have joined us. So far, we have over 25 holiday properties available to us in The Lake District, Northumberland, the Yorkshire Coast and around the Yorkshire Dales allowing us to offer more stays year on year to people living with terminal illness. We work directly with health and social care professionals who refer our guests so we understand their needs and can match them with a suitable holiday property. As a charity, A Bit of a Break relies on its supporters and donors to raise the funds needed to enable these breaks to happen. To talk to us about making a one-off donation, becoming a regular donor, or fundraising for us please get in touch with us at [email protected]. Or if you have a holiday property and could donate a week, please contact us at [email protected] for more information.

08/04/2026

182 days of bookings each year - that's equivalent to 26 full weeks. A tough target in the current holiday-lets market. Owners who fall short can be stung for double-rate council tax. This is the harsh reality in North Wales, the Yorkshire Coast and maybe other areas too.

Can we 'help' you to increase bookings? Some local councils allow owners to donate up to 14 days of free holidays to charity to reach their 182 day target.

Contact [email protected] if donating short breaks to us at A Bit of a Break could help you hit your target. Getting away with A Bit of a Break means people with a palliative diagnosis can spend precious time with loved ones making lasting memories. It's a win-win.

www.abitofabreak.com

13/12/2025

Thank you to Ilkley's wonderful independent bookshop, The Grove Bookshop for this week's fundraiser.

Your kind donation will help more families dealing with a palliative diagnosis to get away on a much needed break!

11/12/2025

Thanks to Kate and Ollie for their Crafts & Honey Christmas gathering which raised a massive £1,300 in just one evening!

The money will be shared with another charity close to our hearts - Hospice Africa. It all means more support for more people with a palliative diagnosis.

Those incredible Understated cycling ladies have so many crafting talents and Ollie's bees had a bumper year. There's a huge amount of work behind the scenes to make a successful evening like this so big thanks and much love to each and everyone who contributed.

02/12/2025

An amazing seven breaks taken in October - a monthly record for us!

The Puffin's Burrow in Alnwick, Northumberland is a particular favourite - a lovely first floor apartment with lift access and outdoor space with its large patio. Thanks to owners Dawn and Ian for their generosity in gifting the break and to Coquet Cottages too.

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13/11/2025

Did you catch last night’s episode of Channel 4’s Grand Designs?

It featured Georgie and Greg, an inspirational young couple who both overcame brain tumours. With great positivity, they now live their lives week by week and month by month but don’t plan anything long term.

Their remarkable self-build home has a room which they generously offer as a retreat for friends going through serious illness needing to get away and just ‘be’.

As we know at A Bit of a Break. ..... just offering an escape to people can bring great joy!

23/10/2025

Lucy, you did it! You ran the London Royal Parks Half for us! Thank you so much. And a video clip from Ant and Dec's show to remind us why fundraising matters.

05/10/2025

There's still time for you to make a little donation to help boost Lucy round her half-marathon challenge at London Royal Parks on Sunday October 12th. Lucy, the T shirt looks fab!

Here's the link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/lucy-derby-2

03/10/2025

Thank you to the The Alicia Boparai Foundation for your kind donation. This will help a family living with a life-limiting condition have a much-needed break. Precious indeed.

11/09/2025

Big big thanks to our Great North Runners - Lily, Rachel, Sam and Elle - looking as fresh as daisies after their half-marathon on Sunday! Your fundraising means more holidays for more families living with a palliative illness. Thank you indeed.

24/07/2025

Massive thanks to our incredible fundraising friends in the Haworth, Oakworth and Oxenhope area of West Yorkshire. Look at this cheque for £2,500 - yes, £2,500! Our loyal Worth Valley Support Group for A Bit of a Break keeps at it and we are so grateful for their ongoing support. Keep up the amazing work and good luck with the Charity Fayre in the Haworth School Room on 16th August. All to raise money for people receiving palliative care who need to get away for a break with loved ones.

https://justgiving.com/abitofabreak

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Ilkley

Website

http://www.abitofabreak.com/

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