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FAB Holidays give bereaved forces families a welcome break

HRH The Duchess of Gloucester and Veterans minister Kevan Jones launched the Families Activity Breaks (FAB) scheme today at the Ministry of Defence, together with sponsors, families and activity break volunteers. The FAB scheme aims to send 100 bereaved Armed Forces families on activity holidays across the UK this summer, in collaboration with the Youth Hostel Association of England and Wales.

FAB provides activity holidays for families with children aged up to 19 years old, who have suffered the loss of a loved one serving in the Armed Forces. They offer an adventure for all the family and a welcome break to meet and socialise with others who have experienced a similar loss.

Defence Minister Kevan Jones said:
“I spent a day with families at one of last year’s activity breaks and it was a very moving experience.  The dignity with which the families coped with their losses, and the almost tangible atmosphere of mutual care and support was truly inspiring.  Having experienced the enormous power of these breaks I am a very great supporter, and thank the Youth Hostel Association for their magnificent support.”

Lucy Aldridge, whose son Rifleman Will Aldridge died aged 18 in Afghanistan in 2009, was one of the first mothers to attend a FAB holiday last year. She said:

“I had an absolutely fantastic time with my children on a FAB holiday last year. My son had died only seven weeks before we went on the holiday, and for my younger children – aged only four and five at the time - those weeks had been a particularly traumatic and confusing time.
“Being able to go on holiday made all the difference. They benefited hugely from spending time with children of all ages who had suffered a similar loss, and we could spend time together as a family for the first time in weeks. It was an overwhelmingly positive experience I will never forget.”

FAB ran as a highly successful pilot in 2009. Over the summer 24 families took part at two locations, Coverack in Cornwall and Whitby in North Yorkshire. In 2010 FAB aims to send up to 100 families on these exciting breaks, this year with additional locations in Wales and Scotland.  
The holidays for 2010 will take place over July and August, and the FAB team are urging Forces families to go online and apply for a place at www.mod.uk/fab