News Date: Monday 30th June 2008
Pat Lidbetter is Tim's hero
In June, Pat Lidbetter of the Sussex Holiday Club in Worthing came to Westminster to receive his award as Tim's 2008 'MP's Hero'.
Tim said:
'The Holiday Club does fantastic work for adults with learning disabilities in and around Worthing and I am proud to be their Patron. Pat Lidbetter and his volunteers who give up so much of their time for this great cause are amongst our local unsung heroes.
'The parties they lay on and the holiday breaks they provide make an enormous difference to the lives of their members as well as their carers, and they provide it all without public funding and rely on voluntary contributions and the goodwill of local people and local businesses.
'I am delighted to be able to nominate Pat as my MP's Hero this year and it is the least I can do to recognise the fantastic dedication he has shown to so many vulnerable adults over so many years and to give his organisation some well deserved publicity.'
About the Sussex Holiday Club:
Sussex Holiday Club was founded in 1997 to provide a summer holiday for adults with learning difficulties who would otherwise find it problematical to source or fund
The holidays provided by the club are not only beneficial to the members, a time to let their hair down with friends and holiday support volunteers, but also a time for the carers and parents to recharge their batteries. Each year 46 adults with learning disabilities leave Worthing by coach to a holiday destination which has been inspected by the club committee to ensure both suitability and within the guidelines of Health and Safety criteria and cost effectiveness . This is a very worthwhile charity that makes a real difference for a group of people who would otherwise be denied a memorable holiday. a tiny charity started and run by local people who saw a need and made it happen.
