Skyggebørn helps 375 grieving children and young people each year for free and indefinitely through grief groups, where they have the opportunity to meet other children and young people in the same situation. This is led by 85 volunteer group leaders with a background in child welfare.

But the need is much greater, as each year 2,000 children in Denmark lose a parent, and an estimated 100,000 children and young people live in families where serious illness overshadows a normal life.

Therefore, 'Fonden Sol og Strand by Margit og Kjeld' is now supporting Skyggebørn with a donation of 100,000 kroner.
-This will make a huge difference for the children who become part of Skyggebørn's work, says Skyggebørn's founder, Jes Dige.

Skyggebørn is based in Aalborg and has branches in Copenhagen, Aarhus, and most recently Esbjerg. With the donation from 'Fonden Sol og Strand by Margit og Kjeld', a campaign on social media and general awareness efforts will increase knowledge about Skyggebørn – and pave the way for even more children to have the opportunity to join the grief groups. The goal is for 450 children to be part of Skyggebørn's grief groups during 2023.

-These are children who are in the worst crisis of their lives, and at the same time, they experience that their closest family is also affected by the event that makes their lives so difficult. Whether it is a death or life-threatening or chronic illness in the family.

-Our groups meet every two weeks and talk about the many difficult things in the children's everyday lives. In the oldest groups – where the children are ten years and older – we meet an hour and a half before the group meeting. Here, the groups cook and eat together. This informal part is important for the cohesion and integration of new participants, says Jes Dige.

“HOLIDAY WITH A GOOD HEART” – THE SURPLUS BENEFITS CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS

It is unique in the Danish tourism industry that part of the surplus from Sol og Strand's rental of summer houses and holiday homes is converted into support for charitable and local purposes.

The chairman of the foundation's board, Jens Stadum, is pleased that the homeowners, holiday guests, and employees of Sol og Strand have contributed input to the process:

-We are quite proud that we can again, for the third year in a row, distribute one million kroner to charitable purposes. For we can see from the applications we receive – and from the feedback we get from the previous year's recipients of donations from the foundation – that the donations make an important difference for many people. These are organizations that truly help many of those who are struggling, and our donations go to them. There is a real need for this money. And this applies both in Denmark and outside Danish borders, says the chairman of the board.

-We can say with a clear conscience that when you take a holiday through Sol og Strand, you contribute to doing something good for others. This is what we call 'Holiday with a Good Heart,' says Jens Stadum.

FOUNDERS OF THE FOUNDATION: SOL OG STRAND MUST REMAIN DANISH – AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

It is the founders of Sol og Strand Feriehusudlejning A/S, Margit and Kjeld Andersen, who established 'Fonden Sol og Strand ved Margit og Kjeld' in 2019.

The couple had a dual wish – namely both to preserve and continue to develop Sol og Strand in Danish hands, but also to ensure that the company's profits primarily go to charitable and humanitarian purposes.

-We can see that others greatly benefit from the money we channel through the foundation to humanitarian and charitable purposes. We are confirmed in this when we see the long line of qualified applications that have come to the foundation again this year, says Kjeld Andersen.

It has been 43 years since he, together with his wife Margit Andersen, established Sol og Strand Feriehusudlejning.

Margit Andersen adds:
-It is clear that the applications come from organizations that are passionate about making a difference. And that is what matters to us. We are very satisfied to see the quality of the work we donate money to, and we feel really good about being able to help, says Margit Andersen.

FURTHER COMMENTS:

Jes Dige, founder of Skyggebørn, phone 20122209

Jens Stadum, chairman of the board of 'Fonden Sol og Strand ved Margit og Kjeld', tel. 40856733

Kristian Andersen, PR and press manager at Sol og Strand Feriehusudlejning A/S, tel. 40293837