Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, our holiday grant programme is currently suspended and we are unable to accept any applications until further notice. We will keep this page updated with any changes. Please contact our helpline if you have any questions about this.
Our Helpline can provide information on companies that may offer reasonably priced travel insurance and how to minimise the cost of traveling with oxygen. We suggest organising travel insurance and oxygen as far in advance as possible.
What are holiday grants?
These grants of up to £300 are to support adults living with CF with the cost of a holiday, short trip or break that will have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing. This includes any activity that will give the person with CF a break, such as holidays in the UK and abroad, day trips and evenings out. Applications are assessed by a panel that meets every two months.
Who can apply for a holiday grant?
Our holiday grants are only for adults aged 18 and over who are living with cystic fibrosis. Those aged under 18 living with CF can apply for a holiday grant from a separate charity, the Cystic Fibrosis Holiday Fund.
We prioritise applications where the adult living with CF (the applicant) would not otherwise be able to afford the break, due to being in financial need.
The applicant, their partner or a member of their CF team can complete the application form. Regardless of who completes the form, the ‘applicant’ is always the person living with cystic fibrosis. If the applicant is over 18, they need to be made aware that the application is being made on their behalf.
How do I apply?
Please read the guidance on this page. Once you have done this, please download and complete the application form.
Download the application form
The application form can be returned by email or post.
Please take a look at these other frequently asked questions before applying for a grant:
Holiday grants can be up to £300. We are more likely to give the grant if the whole cost of the holiday or break can be covered by it. If the cost is more than £300, please explain in the application how the excess will be covered (eg with savings or family support).
Due to the high level of applications received, it may not always be possible to award all applications, or the panel may decide to award less than was requested.
Yes. Please include proof of costs for all aspects of the holiday that the grant request is for (eg travel, accommodation and insurance). This can be a link to a webpage, a screen shot, photo, formal quote or price list. If this is not included, the application will be rejected.
Yes. The supporting statement needs to be completed by a member of the applicant’s CF team (the endorser) and either signed by them or emailed to us from their professional email account.
Our panel consider the endorsement carefully when making their decisions. It should provide more details about how break will benefit the applicant. The endorsement is also important as it confirms for us that the applicant’s CF team are aware of and approve the holiday, trip or break.
If this is proving difficult please contact us.
When we receive an application, we carry out an initial assessment. The application must specify what holiday, trip or break is being applied for. We cannot accept speculative applications. All applications must also have an endorsement and evidence of costs before they can be submitted to the panel.
If any information is missing or we feel the application would be better suited to another of our grants we will contact the applicant or parent/carer to let them know. We may also contact the endorser for further information.
The applications are anonymised before being submitted to our independent panel for assessment. The panel meets every two months and our panel members have a detailed knowledge and understanding of cystic fibrosis. They will consider whether to give an award based on why the applicant is applying for a holiday, trip or break and the impact it will have on their health and wellbeing. They will prioritise applicants who have not recently had a break, and those who would not otherwise be able to afford one.
Meetings are in January, March, May, July, September and November each year.
Following panel dates:
- 12 March 2020. Deadline for applications 3 March 2020
- 14 May 2020. Deadline for applications 5 May 2020
We will inform applicants and endorsers of the outcome of the panel within two weeks of the panel date.
If the application is successful, payment will be made into the bank account provided two to four weeks after the panel date. If bank account details are not included in the application this will delay payment being made.
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is keen that applicants take a holiday or break that will benefit their wellbeing. There is no restriction on the type of break that can be applied for, but applicants must be aware that holidays are taken at their own risk, and the Trust does not accept any liability for any illness or injury that may occur on the break. We strongly advise that you discuss your holiday plans in advance with your CF team.
The holiday or break requested must take place after the grant panel meetings. Applications for holidays that take place before the panel meeting will not usually be considered unless in exceptional circumstances (see below).
Holiday or break grants can be given once every two years. Our panel may prioritise those that have not received a grant in the past, due to a limited budget.
Yes. We are happy to reconsider applications, depending on the reason for the rejection, and applications for a different holiday, trip or grant.
If a holiday has been booked and the applicant has since been told that they need oxygen to fly, or the costs of insurance cannot be met by the applicant, then the application can be processed earlier that the panel meeting. Please contact our helpline to discuss the situation before making your application.
Yes. Please call our Helpline on 0300 373 1000 or email helpline@cysticfibrosis.org.uk if you have any questions about any of our grants.
We have partnered with Haven, offering the CF community the opportunity to save an extra 10% on top of Haven’s best holiday prices.
The Cystic Fibrosis Holiday Fund offers Respite Break Grants to families with a child under the age of 18 who has cystic fibrosis.
The Family Fund considers grants for family holidays in the UK and abroad through their contracted provider, Inspire.
The Family Holiday Association work with a wide range of holiday parks, hotels and hostels, who donate availability to them. They provide families with holiday accommodation and can sometimes contribute towards their travel costs. All families must be referred by someone working with them in a supporting role, this may be a teacher, family support worker or social worker.
Pearson’s Holiday Fund awards grants to help disadvantaged children and young people take a break from home, helping to pay for the cost of holidays or leisure activities while away from their normal environment.