7th December 2022, by Parkdean Resorts

Parkdean Resorts, the UK’s largest holiday park operator, has extended its initiative to gift free holidays to military personnel and their families in 2023.

The holiday park operator already gifts holidays to beneficiaries of the Army Central Fund and the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, but next year will also be opening up the offer to include beneficiaries of the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

The partnership will see Parkdean Resorts offering a total of 188 holidays to military families – an increase of more than 30% on this year’s offering - and the free breaks will be available at 20 of the company’s parks across the UK, with the new addition of Cherry Tree, in Great Yarmouth.

Quality time together

The holidays will be allocated by the Royal Air Force to selected Service People and their families, honouring the extraordinary sacrifices and support they provide whilst loved ones are deployed around the world.

Parkdean Resorts recognises the sacrifices the Armed Forces community makes, and the initiative has been designed so families can enjoy rest and respite, as well as quality time together.

Ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces

The initiative forms part of the holiday park operator’s ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces, which has seen it partner with SSAFA – the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Families Association – the Armed Forces Charity, to raise money for veterans, as well as sponsor this year’s Armed Forces Day National Event, which took place in Scarborough, in June. Parkdean Resorts is also a proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, and is currently working towards achieving the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.

Steve Richards, CEO, Parkdean Resorts, said: “We know the Armed Forces and their families make huge sacrifices and often face very challenging circumstances, so it’s important for us as a business to give back and support them in any way we can. We’re delighted to have extended our initiative to include the RAF and gift free holidays to even more service people and their families across the country, and we’re honoured to provide them with some well-deserved down time with us at Parkdean Resorts.

“We’ve heard from beneficiaries who have been through very difficult times and have experienced loss and critical illness, who were able to enjoy respite and valuable quality time with their families on our parks. To be able to provide this experience for our Armed Forces is a huge source of pride for the business.”

Generous offer

Air Vice-Marshal Chris Elliot, Controller of RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “At the RAF Benevolent Fund, we understand that service life can be demanding. Relocation and deployment take a toll on day-to-day family life and I am delighted that Parkdean Resorts have reached out to gift the RAF Benevolent Fund 45 breaks for serving RAF personnel and families to use, enjoy and recuperate from the challenges of service life.

Our collaboration with Parkdean means that the Fund will be able to offer free holidays year-round at a number of Parkdean’s stunning UK wide locations. The gift of these free breaks is fantastic, and I know that they will benefit and sustain those who use the breaks. We are delighted to have been given this generous offer and would like to thank Parkdean for the difference this is going to make to people's lives."