Through a new partnership with the RNRMC, Parkdean Resorts, the national holiday park operator with 67 family-friendly parks throughout the UK, will provide up to 145 holiday breaks between April and November this year at nine of its parks, including a disabled-access unit at Southview, Skegness. The breaks will be awarded as recognition of not only the Service Person, but also the families supporting them, for the extraordinary sacrifices and encouragement they provide whilst their spouses/partners and loved ones are deployed around the globe. The awards also aim to recognise families that may have gone or are going through difficult times and where time away may help. Given the limited number of RNRMC Holiday Breaks available, a competitive application process has been set up which requires applicants to submit a written application endorsed by their Divisional Officer or civilian equivalent.
The application form is contained within a Royal Navy Temporary Memorandum (RNTM) which also details eligibility guidelines and the application process. The RNTM can be viewed here: RNTM
One of the first beneficiaries of the RNRMC’s Reward and Recognition Holiday Break will be Chief Petty Officer Andy Stevenson and his family, based at HM Naval Base Devonport, Plymouth. The Stevensons are off to a Parkdean holiday park in Newquay, Cornwall, in recognition of the challenges they have faced, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Younger daughter, Sable, 7, is one of a handful of children in the world with a rare, life-limiting genetic epilepsy called FGF12, and requires constant supervision and monitoring. Elder daughter, Stella, also has a genetic condition, 2P13.2, linked to mental health issues, learning difficulties and autism, and requires one-to-one support in school.
The Parkdean Holiday Parks taking part in the Award Scheme are Wemyss Bay in Renfrewshire, Ocean Edge, in Heysham, Lancashire, Skipsea Sands in Yorkshire, Vauxhall in Great Yarmouth, Camber Sands in Sussex, Sandford and Warmwell in Dorset, Lizard Point and Newquay in Cornwall, and Southview, Skegness. Award recipients are eligible for up to 30% discount on food and soft drinks at the restaurant and bars at participating Holiday Parks, as well as free entertainment passes during the break.
The First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Tony Radakin CB ADC, said:” I am delighted that the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity is able to provide these respite breaks through Parkdean Resorts. Our people and their families often make significant sacrifices in the service of our country, and it’s fantastic we can recognise this by awarding holidays that help families re-connect and relax together. Thank you to Parkdean for such generosity.”
Steve Richards, CEO, Parkdean Resorts, said: “We all admire the Armed Forces and the amazing sacrifices that our Service Personnel make, so it’s an honour to be able to give back to them and their families through our partnership with the RNRMC and we look forward to welcoming them to our Holiday Parks this year.
“As a company, we can really benefit from the transferrable skills and qualities that the Armed Forces instil in its people, and we’ve already seen some really high-calibre applications from Service Leavers through the CTP.”
Chief Petty Officer, Andy Stevenson, said: “I’m very grateful for the opportunity of a holiday for my family. We’ve had a tough time recently but get through it as a family, and we’ve had a lot of support from work as well. My Divisional Officer put me forward for a Parkdean break as he thought a change in scenery and a break would do our family the world of good, and it will be nice for the whole family to have an organised holiday away, with lots of entertainment for both the children.”
