A programme which offers much-needed respite to families and individuals facing extremely difficult circumstances has been re-launched after new funding was secured.

Smile by the Sea is run by HEY Smile Foundation and supports people in Hull and the East Riding, including those with long-term or life-limiting illness, families in crisis, disabled children and young people, families living in deprivation or experiencing social welfare issues, older people and unpaid carers.

In recent years, it has provided UK short breaks for 389 local adults and children who are supported by a registered charity or other registered service and can’t afford to pay for a holiday themselves.

A total of £15,000 has now been provided by funders including the Joseph and Annie Cattle Trust, which helps local vulnerable people change their lives, and the Sir James Reckitt Charity, which supports a range of local charitable causes, to kick-start the programme once again.

The average cost of a break is approximately £440 per family and HEY Smile Foundation hopes to be able to fund 34 breaks this year, providing Covid-19 restrictions allow.

Andy Barber, HEY Smile Foundation Chief Executive, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to receive this funding to enable eligible people in Hull and the East Riding to access these short breaks.

“We can’t wait to see more families, couples and individuals benefit from this fantastic programme and provide them with the respite they really need. Due to the pressures of COVID19, and lockdown we know this service will be needed more than ever.

“We’re accepting applications from April onwards and look forward to continuing to make a difference to those who need it most.”

Applications for short breaks are not accepted directly from individuals and are only provided to those who are not able to fund the breaks themselves.

Registered charities from Hull and the East Riding, schools, social services, GPs and other registered services can apply for breaks on behalf of a family, couple or individual they currently support.

Staff Nurse Vic Walsh, who is based at the Teenage and Young Adult Unit at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham, is part of the team which has referred individuals and families to Smile by the Sea for short breaks in previous years.

She said: “We care for teenagers and young adults with cancer and these short breaks provide some much-needed down time after treatment. They don’t have to worry about hospital visits and can just be with their families.

“When patients go through treatment, it can affect their work and income, so having the added luxury of a break away means so much to them because they may not have been able to afford it themselves.

“It’s wonderful to know there is further funding available and we know what a difference Smile by the Sea makes.”

Smile by the Sea also funds the annual Santa Steam Train trip each Christmas for disadvantaged Hull and East Riding children, providing them with a fun festive day out on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

More than 200 children have benefited from the trip over four years and, while it wasn’t possible for the trip to go ahead in 2020 due to the pandemic, it is hoped it can take place this year providing restrictions continue to be eased.

For a Smile by the Sea short break application form, which includes the full application criteria, please click here.