Ben’s Den

Ben’s Den is a charity founded in memory of Ben Parker, who passed away from leukaemia in 2003. Established in March 2004 by his parents, the charity aims to support families of children battling cancer or leukaemia by offering them free caravan holidays.

Ben was diagnosed with leukaemia on the 8th December 2000, when he was only 10 years old. He showed remarkable courage and resilience in the face of leukaemia, maintaining a positive outlook and determination throughout his treatments. Despite the challenges, he continued to pursue his passions, especially his love for football, inspiring everyone around him until his passing at the age of 13 in November 2003.

Throughout Ben’s illness, his parents witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by families dealing with childhood cancer, particularly the emotional and financial strain, as well as the need for quality family time away from hospital environments. They recognised the importance of providing families with the opportunity to create lasting memories together during such difficult times.

Motivated by their own experiences and Ben’s memory, they established Ben’s Den in March 2004 to support other families in similar situations by offering them free caravan holidays.

Through successful fundraising efforts, Ben’s Den now operates seven caravans, including one fully adapted for wheelchair access. The caravans are all located at Golden Sands in Mablethorpe and Tattershall Lakes near Sleaford.

Since inception, they have provided over 1500 families with much-needed breaks, partnering with organisations like CLIC Sargent to ensure families can enjoy these respites without financial burden.