For many children and young people, the summer holiday is the highlight of the year, but for families facing financial challenges, the holiday can be filled with worry and frustration.

– Many of the families we help cannot afford holiday experiences. This means that the children feel left out and ashamed when the conversation at school turns to summer adventures after the holiday is over, says the association's director, Maria Blankensteiner.

The association supports financially struggling single parents, the vast majority of whom are women who often bear the sole responsibility for the family. Many struggle with debt, have lived in violent situations, or face other complex challenges such as divorce and illness.

– The summer holiday grants make it possible for families who otherwise cannot afford a summer holiday to create good memories through activities like a trip to the cinema, a visit to a summer park, or an overnight stay at a campsite, says Maria Blankensteiner.

The donation from Fonden Sol og Strand by Margit and Kjeld means that around 100 grants of 1,500 kroner each can be distributed. Nevertheless, the association can only meet a fraction of the need.

– There is a huge need that we unfortunately cannot fully meet. Last year, we had to turn down 70 percent of the applicants, says Maria Blankensteiner.

Even though the amount is not enough for a week abroad or a stay in a summer house, the grants make a noticeable difference for the families.

– We received a thank you from a mother who described how she had to walk away and cry tears of joy before she could tell her children that they had the opportunity to visit Fårup Sommerland. She explained how the children jumped for joy and the youngest even cried tears of happiness. The experience meant that the children could return to school after the holiday and share their experiences, says Maria Blankensteiner, continuing.

– The important thing is that the children feel they also have something to contribute when they meet with others at school after the summer holiday, and that the families have had a breather and created good shared memories.