Did you know that 1 in 5 UK families cannot afford a traditional “bucket and spade” day trip. (source Barnado’s childrens charity) They calculated that the cost of a “no frills” day at the seaside for a family of 4 could cost as much as £170 and was at least £41. This was purely based on travel to and from and did not include the traditional bucket and spade, snacks and drinks. The UK’s poorest families cannot cover basic weekly living costs let alone afford to take their children on a day trip let alone a holiday. This is truly saddening and should not be the case. Barnado’s raised a very valid point that family holidays and day trips have a special place in the childhood memory box and every child deserves to have a day out once in a while. It is an opportunity for children to spend a healthy, happy time and experience a British cultural tradition; to play on the beach, splash in the sea and build sandcastles. We are going to try and change this and with your help we can!