‘Cornwall Hugs Grenfell’ Appeals for Local Transport Help and Vouchers from Restaurants and Eateries
100+ Firefighters and Grenfell Tower Survivors set to holiday in Cornwall
Cornwall Hugs Grenfell, is appealing to Cornish cab and bus companies to help firefighters and Grenfell Tower survivors make transfers to resorts and travel easily to attractions that have pledged free entry. The initiative is also inviting restaurants, eateries and cafés to offer vouchers to help guests relax and enjoy the best of Cornish cuisine during their stay. Over 100 firefighters and Grenfell Tower survivors are set to travel to the county, most of these over the next four months and Cornwall Hugs Grenfell is asking Cornish companies to think creatively about what they will need for their holiday.
‘Most Grenfell Tower residents don’t own a car so transfers from railway stations will help their holidays get off to a smooth start. We do have many offers of private transfers but with large families this is less practicable,’ said Esmé Page, founder, Cornwall Hugs Grenfell. ‘We’re also interested to hear from local bus companies about how they might help the guests access the wonderful offers made by Cornish businesses such as the Eden Project, Tate St Ives, King Surf, The Big Green Surf Company (full list below). Having a bus pass would really open up the county to them and help them enjoy their holiday independently. I’d love to think they could jump on an open top bus, feel the Cornish wind in their hair and drink in the beautiful scenery. It’s all about making new memories!’ continued Esmé.
‘We’ve been bowled over by the ‘love thy neighbour’ Cornish kindness expressed by individuals and companies alike. I’d liked to pay tribute to all those who have pledged - including those who have asked to stay anonymous.’ says Esmé. Offers range from wake-board lessons at Kernow Adventure Park to ice-cream at Jelberts, in Newlyn. ‘No holiday is complete without a Jelbert’s ice-cream, so we were particularly chuffed to gain their support,’ said Esmé.
‘Tasting new foods and not having to cook every meal yourself is an important part of anyone’s holiday. For the Grenfell Tower Survivors who are so exhausted by the last six weeks, the chance to eat out now and again could really help them relax. Restaurants and eateries work really hard in the Summer months to make ends meet, so we’re not asking for large numbers of vouchers but if everyone can do a little, we’ll help these people have a real rest and send them home with some wonderful new memories and perhaps even a new passion for Cornish food,’ said Esmé
Besides individual family holidays for Grenfell Tower survivors and firefighters Cornwall Hugs Grenfell is also organising a set departure holiday for six families to Falmouth at the end of August. By kind donation by Falmouth University and the University of Exeter families will stay on campus at Falmouth University and enjoy trips and activities. This trip is booking up fast with only a few spaces left.
‘For the Falmouth holiday, we’re of course really keen to hear from attractions and restaurants based in the Falmouth area who would like to join our vision to give these families and particularly the children some new experiences and images to take back into the Autumn and winter. Many of the families have been living in temporary accommodation these last six weeks. Many of them have to pass the tower every day, with all the emotions and memories it stirs up. One mother said to me, ‘I would like the kids to have a holiday to help them forget what happened to us even for a short time before they go back to school.’ Another said she wanted to bring the family, ‘So we can go away and not be in the locality of Grenfell tower. It would also allow the children time away from the confines of the hotel and keep them busy.’ She finished by saying that perhaps a different setting would help her child to stop having night terrors at night. It’s these kind of comments which confirm how important these holidays are and what a significant gift it is, that the Cornish people are willing to give so generously,’ concludes Esmé.
Current sponsors who are happy to be named:
Bedruthan Hotel - dinner for a family
Big Green Surf School - lessons
Bodmin & Wenford Railway - trips
Eden Project - free entry
Explore in Cornwall - free sight-seeing trips
Jelberts Ice-cream - free large cones
Kernow Adventure Park - wipe-out sessions
Kingsurf Surf School - surf lessons
Mullion Glass Studio & Workshop - lessons
Ocean High - SUP lessons
Perranporth surf school - surf lessons
St Michael's Mount - free entry
Tate St Ives - free entry
The Lost Gardens of Heligan -free entry
The Pandora Inn - dinner for a family
The Red Hand Gang - kids’ entertainment
The Travellers rest Pub - dinner
Plymouth Citybus - coach and bus travel
When asked why they were taking part, businesses have given heartfelt answers including:
‘We are lucky and privileged to live in such a beautiful area and get to experience the soul reviving power of the ocean and we'd like to share that and help in a small way to enable peoples to rebuild their lives,’ commented Lawrence Smith, from Ocean High, Long Rock.
‘We know how important it is for families to share special happy time together, and these families (both residents and firefighters) are even more in need of this after what they've been through. Whilst we're not local to what has happened, as a family attraction and with our staff and volunteers all having families ourselves we're pleased to be able to make this small offer, alongside fellow businesses in Cornwall, demonstrating the warm and friendly welcome our attraction and our county is known for,’ said Bodmin Railway.
Organisations can pledge support through the ‘business offers’ button on the website at www.cornwallhugsgrenfell.org or cornwallhugsgrenfell@gmail.com. Individual donations can be made via the Just Giving Page ‘Cornwall Hugs Grenfell’.
Follow us on twitter @Cornwallhugs.
Like us on Facebook at Cornwall Hugs Grenfell.
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Image: logo designed and donated by Cornish Bird in the Sticks.
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MEDIA CONTACTS - ONLY FOR MEDIA NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE PLEASE
Esme Page: Tel: 07803 594285 Email cornwallhugsgrenfell@gmail.com
Note to editors:
Cornwall Hugs Grenfell is a voluntary organisation set up by Esmé Page with the vision, ‘Imagine if we could put a Cornish holiday on the horizon of every Grenfell resident and firefighter family: a time to rest, a time to let our beautiful county bless these people and work its gentle magic.’ It is set to run until 2019.
