There was great gratitude from director Jan Johnsen when he was informed that the Association for Cancer-Affected Children in Bagsværd can look forward to a donation from the Sol og Strand fund of 83,000 kroner.

The purpose of the association is to support cancer-affected children and young people across the country, and it currently has about 3,500 members, which corresponds to around 950 families.

To counter loneliness and isolation during often lengthy treatment processes, the association has organized activities such as cinema trips, amusement park visits, Christmas parties, and family weekends. However, not all cancer-affected individuals can participate in the usual events.

– We have a group of children and young people who either have a brain tumor or have experienced late effects after treatment, and they are so ill that they need a companion. This donation means an immense amount, as it allows us to tailor an event specifically for these children and young people, says Jan Johnsen.

Specifically, the donation will be used to hold two weekend trips, which will take place in Jutland and Zealand, respectively. There will be space for 15 participants and 15 companions on each trip, as well as a number of volunteers from the association.

– The aim is to give these children and young people an opportunity for an experience that they would otherwise be deprived of and to experience a sense of community with others. Moreover, we know that parents also appreciate meeting other parents in the same situation and, not least, seeing their children's joy in participating in such a trip, says Jan Johnsen, adding that a useful network will also be created among both adults and children and young people.

What all the volunteers in the association have in common is that they have had cancer close to their lives. Jan Johnsen also lost his daughter due to a brain tumor.

– For me, it means a lot that I can help make a difference. Without it sounding religious, it is almost a calling for me to spread joy for these families, even though it can certainly be hard because you get very close to them, says Jan Johnsen.

A dream has come true

The couple Margit and Kjeld Andersen founded Sol og Strand Feriehusudlejning A/S in 1979. In connection with the company's 40th anniversary, the couple transferred ownership to a foundation with the desire to both preserve and develop the business in Danish hands and to support charitable and local causes.

– With this foundation, we have both secured a future for Sol og Strand Holiday Home Rental, which we have always referred to as our "third child," and we have realized our dream of contributing to making a difference for others, says Kjeld Andersen.

– It is gratifying that we can help carry out a weekend trip for children and young people who undoubtedly could use a much-needed ray of hope in their daily lives, says Margit Andersen.

In total, the foundation has donated nearly three million kroner this year, and the expectation is that this amount will increase in the future.

– The foundation is a guiding star for the employees at Sol og Strand Holiday Home Rental A/S, and we want to make a difference in relation to our surroundings by supporting local and charitable causes. The better we do it at Sol og Strand, the greater the significance it has for the foundation and its work, says Per Dam, who is the CEO of Sol og Strand Holiday Home Rental A/S.