Recover Rebuild Restore
Helping Veterans And Their Families Build Memories
Veterans often face unique challenges, including physical injuries, mental health issues and difficulties in transitioning back to civilian life. These are challenges arising as a direct result of service to their country.
In turn, families play an integral role in promoting a veteran’s well-being, often bearing the emotional and practical burdens of their service.
Our aim is to offer veterans and their families the opportunity to enjoy stress-free holidays to rejuvenate and build happy, family memories together.
Who we are
Veterans Coastal Retreats, informally known as VCR, was founded by Richard Perkins, a soldier from Bude, Cornwall, who oversees a specialist rehabilitation platoon within the Household Division. Working with injured soldiers on a day-to-day basis, he became acutely aware of the great benefit a charity like VCR could bring to veterans.
Our Mission
Our Beneficiaries
Support
Making the difference for veterans and their families
At Veterans Coastal Retreats, we rely on the generosity and dedication of our supporters to raise funds to provide our services to veterans and their families. Your support will make a profound difference in the lives of those who have served our country.
Financial
Financial contributions, both one-time and recurring, help us to fund our retreats. Every donation, no matter the size, directly impacts the lives of veterans and their families.
Fundraising
Organise or participate in fundraising events to raise awareness and support for our cause. Charity run, bake sale, or community event, your efforts help us reach more veterans in need.
Gifts in kind
Leaving all or part of your assets to VCR in your Will would ensure that your estate continues to leave a legacy for the benefit of our charity's residents in perpetuity.
our Retreats
Providing Hope and Healing for Veterans
Our first retreats will be based in and around Bude, North Cornwall with access to the serene coastal environment and outdoor activities designed for relaxation and family bonding. We are establishing links with local charities and companies to ensure our residents get the best possible experience whilst staying with us.
Our retreats will be specifically furnished for current and former members of the armed forces and their loved ones. The goal is to create a supportive, safe space where families can reconnect, unwind, and enjoy quality time together without financial strain.
Our families
In March, our first family was donated a property in Bude. They had a wonderful week’s holiday and gave us some invaluable feedback about how the holidays will best serve veterans.
We were lucky enough to get an interview with our first guest.
Frequently asked Questions
How do I apply to be considered by Veterans Coastal Retreats for help?
We are currently focusing on the fundraising to buy our first property. We will release how to apply on the website in due course.
How do I nominate a veteran or serving person to be helped by Veterans Coastal Retreats?
We are currently focusing on the fundraising to buy our first property. We will release how to apply on the website in due course.
What sort of accommodation is available for those with mobility issues?
We have a variety of properties that we place families in. Most can support those with mobility issues, but we recognise that not all our generous donors are able to offer accommodation that suits all. In each case, families will be best matched with available accommodation to take into account individual needs. We welcome feedback and input from people who have mobility issues to better shape accommodation provision. Please get in touch with us if you would like to share your valuable experience.
Can I raise money for Veterans Coastal Retreats?
VCR welcomes fundraising events, and we encourage you to get in touch with us to help shape your fundraising efforts on behalf of VCR. We also bid for places in all sorts of physical challenges and marathons. If you are interested in running the London Marathon for VCR please get in touch so that we can apply for places as soon as possible as these quickly fill up.
We also understand that not all who want to commit their time can take part in physical activities and we equally welcome other fundraising efforts. Whether it’s a bake sale, raffle or other sponsored events, we would be privileged to have your efforts raise money for VCR.
Does Veterans Coastal Retreats collect Gift Aid to make the most of my donation?
Yes, VCR is fully registered with the Charity Commission and takes advantage of Gift Aid to maximise donations.
I have a holiday property; can I donate a week to Veterans Coastal Retreats?
Yes, we would ideally love to have designated accommodation for the exclusive use of VCR beneficiaries. However, until we realise this long-term goal, we will continue to provide veterans with other accommodation through various means, of which, donated accommodation is one. Please email us for further details on how you can help in this area.
I own a business and would like to help VCR in some way, what can I do?
Running a business can take a lot of effort and we recognise that not all can commit their time to fundraising. We also welcome donations of services, experiences, day trips and subsidised attraction entrance to name a few. These can aid a family in accommodation to visit local areas or an experience that can bring them closer together that would otherwise be out of reach to them.
We also welcome these sorts of donations and others for our auctions and raffles to generate funding to help veterans and their families.
Do you work with other military charities?
Yes, we believe that the number of veterans in need of help, the complexities of some cases and the isolation felt by some make it difficult for any single charity to solve. Where possible we aim to work in collaboration with other charities in a holistic approach to help as many veterans as possible.
If I benefit from help from VCR will my experience be publicised?
We have a social media presence to help us publicise VCR and gain donations to help veterans. But we recognise that receiving help from a charity can be a highly personal experience. We would love to share your positive interaction with VCR but understand if you would prefer not to.
For those who do consent to their experiences being shared by us, we will allow you to view and amend the draft or withdraw your consent to use the publication, in line with current GDPR policies.
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