Butlins partners with Princess Royal Trust for Carers

From 1st January, famous UK holiday Resort Butlins will begin a partnership with The Princess Royal Trust for Carers. Butlins will be inviting the 1.5m annual guests that visit the three Resorts, to take part in fundraising events such as five-a-side football matches and entertainment events whilst those booking their holiday online can donate £1.

The Trust was established in 1991 to provide support, information and advice to unpaid carers across the UK through its unique network of 133 independently managed Carers’ Centres and interactive websites, Carers.org and Youngcarers.net. The Trust provides support to over 300,000 carers, including 15,500 young carers.

The charity’s 6m carers save the British taxpayer around £85 billion per year as this is what it would cost to provide their services through a government sponsored body. Of this overall figure, expected to rise to 13m in the next 10 years, around 1m are under the age of 18 with many of them loosing out not only on their childhood but also their education.

Richard Bates, Managing Director of Butlins, said; “The moment I read about all these unsung heroes, particularly the children who dedicate their childhood to looking after adults, I knew I wanted Butlins to get involved in as many ways as possible. Butlins is family focused and so is The Princess Royal Trust for Carers in that they work to keep families together so we’re viewing this as a long term partnership and I’m sure our guests will both support and enjoy the Resort activities we’re planning.”

HRH The Princess Royal is its founder and patron whilst Loose Women’s presenter, Linda Bellingham, TV personality Anthea Turner, sports personality Gary Lineker and actor Roy Winstone are all involved in supporting the Trust.

Sheila Dent, Acting Chief Executive of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers said; “In May 2007 BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme broadcast interviews of young carers who described some of the caring roles they face every day, that I think most adults would struggle with. Richard Bates, Managing Director of Butlins was so moved by the plight of young carers, he immediately decided that he wanted to do something to make a difference.

"It’s been a great pleasure to find that Butlins pay a great deal more than simply lip service to their founding principles regarding the importance of family. The Princess Royal Trust for Carers is delighted to be associated with Butlins and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”