Creating Memories That Last a Lifetime
Since 1967, our club has proudly supported the Merseyside Children’s Holiday Fund in giving disadvantaged children from the Liverpool area the chance to experience something truly special. For decades, that has meant trips to Colomendy, a place filled with adventure, friendship and the kind of memories that shape a childhood.
This year, with Colomendy closed, the tradition continued at PGL in Shropshire. The location may have been different, but the spirit of the trip remained the same. Thanks to the combined efforts of our club and the Merseyside Children’s Holiday Fund, generations of children have enjoyed opportunities they might otherwise never have known. These are moments that stay with them long after they return home. It is a quiet, ongoing legacy in our city that speaks volumes about the power of community.
That legacy has been built year after year by dedicated volunteers, some of whom have been involved since the beginning. Over the years, we have seen a welcome new wave of younger volunteers stepping forward to continue the work. Their energy and commitment help ensure the tradition is not only preserved but strengthened for the future.
In the week leading up to this year’s trip, our members gathered to prepare washbags for each child. Every bag was packed with the essentials they would need while away, but they were also filled with something less tangible. The children knew that someone had thought of them, cared about their comfort and wanted them to feel special.
Once the holiday began, the days were full of activity and adventure. The children visited Llandudno Beach, enjoying the fresh sea air and the excitement of the arcades. They explored Wonderland in Telford, where imagination came to life, before heading to the bowling lanes for a few rounds of friendly competition. At Park Hall Farm, they met animals up close, learning and laughing in equal measure. Each stop on the itinerary was chosen not just for fun, but to spark curiosity, build confidence and create shared moments between friends old and new.
One of the most treasured parts of this annual tradition is the evening when some of our members join the children at camp. This year was no different. We arrived to find the group buzzing with energy after a full day of activities. As the sun began to set, we played games together, sang songs that echoed across the fields, and gathered around the campfire. The highlight for many was making s’mores, a sticky, sweet treat that somehow tastes even better when you have toasted it yourself over an open flame. The night was filled with laughter, stories and the kind of togetherness that can be hard to find in everyday life.
These moments may seem small, but for a child they can mean the world. A holiday like this is about far more than a change of scenery. It is about showing children that they matter. It is about giving them space to dream, to try new things, to feel the warmth of encouragement and the joy of shared experience.
In a city as vibrant as Liverpool, it is easy to forget that not every child has the same opportunities. There are young people here who face challenges no child should have to carry. Through this work, we are reminded that we all share a collective responsibility to make a difference. Sometimes that means giving our time. Sometimes it means offering resources. Sometimes it is as simple as being there, playing a game, sharing a song or handing a child their very first s’more.
The trip to PGL in Shropshire may be over for this year, but the memories will stay with those children for years to come. And for our club, it is another chapter in a story we are proud to be part of. When a community comes together, moments become memories, and memories can lead to lasting change.
