Ben’s Den: Creating Joy for Children with Serious Illnesses

Ben's Den is a charity founded in memory of Ben Parker, who passed away from leukaemia in 2003. Established in March 2004 by his parents, the charity supports families of children battling cancer or leukaemia by offering free caravan holidays.

Ben, diagnosed with leukaemia at age 10, showed remarkable courage throughout his treatment, inspiring those around him until his passing at age 13. His parents, having experienced the emotional and financial strain of dealing with childhood cancer, founded Ben’s Den to provide families with opportunities to create lasting memories away from hospital environments.

The charity now operates seven caravans, including one adapted for wheelchair access, at Golden Sands in Mablethorpe and Tattershall Lakes near Sleaford, and has provided over 1500 families with much-needed breaks.

The Foundation’s support will allow more families to benefit from these invaluable breaks, offering them comfort and happiness during challenging times.

Stairfoot Foodbank: Nourishing the Community

Stairfoot Foodbank, established during the COVID-19 pandemic, is a lifeline for many in Barnsley, providing emergency food parcels to individuals and families facing financial hardship.

Run entirely by dedicated volunteers, the foodbank often feeds up to 147 people weekly and relies on fundraising activities like car boot sales and coffee mornings to purchase necessary food items.

In addition to food parcels, they create special Christmas hampers with gifts for families and collaborate with local schools on community service projects, fostering community spirit and awareness.

The funding received from the Minorfern Foundation will go towards essential costs such as insurance and fuel, and will also help them to purchase a new freezer.