A CHARITY which provides respite holidays for Huddersfield families has bought its second caravan.

And the static holiday home will be sited right next door to the one already owned by Ruddi’s Retreat at Primrose Valley near Filey on Yorkshire’s east coast.

The charity’s founder, Ali Jones, has revealed that it means they will be able to provide holidays for up to 100 families this summer.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” she said. “It means that extended families such as grandads and grandmas, aunts and uncles can go and provide extra support. The two caravans will have room for up to 16 people.”

The caravan has cost £22,000 with the money raised in just 11 months through a host of fundraising activities.

“You name it and we’ve done it,” said Ali. “Two of the biggest events were a fun day at Broad Oak Bowling Club and a Saunter To Sunset Walk supported by 60 people in Linthwaite and around Blackmoorfoot Reservoir.”

The caravan should be in place by the end of this week and Ali hopes it will be in action by early June.

And Ali will then be moving on to her next project, raising money to buy a wooden lodge which will probably be sited near Blackpool.

“Some of the children can’t use the caravans because they require hoists,” said Ali. “We need a holiday home with a more substantial roof.”

The charity provides seaside respite for families with children affected by cancer, life-limiting illnesses and bereavement – and Ali is shortlisted in the Services To Charity award in Thursday’s Examiner Community Awards.

The charity is named after Ali’s four-year-old son, Ruddi, who was just over six months old when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer on his bladder and prostate. He went through months of treatment and lost his bladder and prostate in the process.

He took his first steps on a respite holiday at Primrose Valley after enduring chemotherapy which left him with very weak bones.

The charity has set up another fundraiser by challenging people to grow the biggest sunflowers.

All people have to do is buy a packet of sunflower seeds from the charity for £1.50 and then grow them throughout the summer and the winner will receive a goodie bag.

To buy the seeds contact Ali on 07587 080904.