– It's simply a fantastic Christmas gift, because it means we have the opportunity to help more relatives of those with mental illness, says the head of the secretariat at Bedre Psykiatri, Jane Alrø Sørensen.

Due to covid-19, the pressure on Bedre Psykiatri's telephone counseling has increased significantly. According to Jane Alrø Sørensen, there was a 30 percent increase in inquiries noted in the spring.

– The corona situation has created uncertainty and concern. We have received many inquiries from relatives because they are confused about the restrictions that many municipalities have imposed regarding visits to housing and institutions. These are restrictions that the municipalities have implemented without being mandated to do so, and often this has happened without informing the relatives. The restrictions mean that relatives are cut off from visiting, which unfortunately leads to residents feeling lonely, and it is a difficult situation for both the relatives and the family member in the residence, says Jane Alrø Sørensen.

With the help of the donation from "Fonden Sol og Strand by Margit og Kjeld", Bedre Psykiatri can specifically allocate extra staff to respond to the increased number of inquiries.

– It often requires consideration to contact us, and therefore it is important that there is a short response time. We prioritize being able to help within a few days, and this donation makes it possible to provide faster assistance to the many who contact us, says Jane Alrø Sørensen.

Sol og Strand Holiday Home Rental transitioned to foundation ownership in 2019. According to plan, "Fonden Sol og Strand by Margit and Kjeld," which is currently under construction, was not supposed to start distributing funds for charitable purposes until 2022. However, the fund's board has decided to distribute one million already this year.

– This is the first time we are distributing from the fund, and the board has selected a total of ten organizations, each receiving 100,000 kroner. This time, the selection has been based on the wishes of the fund's founders, Margit and Kjeld Andersen. Going forward, distributions will be based on applications we receive, says the fund's chairman, Jens Stadum.

The couple Margit and Kjeld Andersen are pleased that they now have the opportunity to realize a dream they have had for many years for Sol og Strand Holiday Home Rental A/S, which they founded in 1979. The couple started by renting out their own summer house, and the company now manages the rental of around 6,500 Danish holiday homes, making it one of the largest Danish rental agencies.

In November 2019, they transferred ownership of Sol og Strand Holiday Home Rental A/S to the commercial foundation, which aims to support charitable and local causes. From 2022/23, the expectation is that the foundation will be able to distribute up to 75 percent of the profits from Sol og Strand Holiday Home Rental to these purposes annually. Thus, by choosing to rent out your summer house or book a holiday stay through Sol og Strand Holiday Home Rental, you are indirectly helping to make a difference for others.

The company calls this "Holidays with a Good Heart," and it is entirely in line with Margit and Kjeld Andersen's wishes and hopes for the business.

– By establishing this fund, we ensure that our legacy of renting out Danish holiday homes continues in Danish hands and is not sold to, for example, a foreign capital fund. We are pleased that we can distribute funds already this year, and since mental health is very important to us, we are happy that we can contribute to many more now receiving help through telephone counseling at Bedre Psykiatri, says Margit and Kjeld Andersen.