Go Beyond is a small charity that makes a huge difference to children in the UK who desperately need a break.
Without our supporters, children who care for their ill mums and dads, worry about where their next meal will come from, or fall behind at school and struggle to make friends would never get a break. Never get a chance to explore the great outdoors, go on adventures, or toast marshmallows by the fireside with new friends. Go Beyond puts magic into their lives.
Over the last 30 years, we have given over 19,000 vulnerable children breaks. For one week, they pack their troubles away and discover a life that’s full of fun, laughter and imagination.
Missy’s story
Missy* is 12 and last Christmas was referred on a Go Beyond break by her school. She lives in London in poverty. She is a young carer for her mum who suffers from MS and her sisters. Her day to day life is a struggle of how to shop, clean, cook and pay the bills for her family whilst trying to fit in her school work. She worries constantly and has no time for friends, let alone hobbies. She used to love going to dance lessons, but that stopped when her mum got sick and they could no longer afford the classes. Last Christmas Missy was not expecting any presents, a tree or turkey and her biggest worry was making sure her mum and sisters at least got a present to unwrap.
Missy got to come on a Go Beyond Christmas break for a week last December. While with us she got to enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner, she got to help decorate a tree, hang a stocking up by her bed. She got to laugh and joke with her new friends while pulling Christmas crackers. She got to be young and spend a week without worry. Most importantly for her she got to spend time in the craft barn. Making gifts for her mum and two sisters meant that they would have something to unwrap on Christmas day. When she got home, Go beyond made sure they had sent Missy a Christmas card with her very own present to unwrap! Missy wrote to us to say…
I wanted to write this letter to say how thankful I am of everything you have all done. Thank you so much for everything and making it the best Christmas that I have ever had. I actually feel like there is something out there for me because of you. Life at home is tough and I’m worried about my mum. But remembering my week with you guys brings me back to my happy place, my time at Go Beyond.
I loved seeing everyone give things a go and even more watching my new friends accomplish thing they had never done before. It made me feel like I can do anything with my life that I choose to do. I’m now know that I am the one that makes the decisions.
My week with you taught me many things – mostly it taught me to become more confident, I’m so happy I got to dance in front of you, it may have been a small dance, but to me it was a step towards something good.
I loved the chance to go outside and explore new places. Seeing the amazing views and being somewhere quiet made time stop. It’s got to be the most relaxing thing I have ever done, it really made me feel free. I am just so grateful, now, when I wake up every morning, I look outside and know that everything is going to be ok.
You all have a big rainbow over your heads, always happy and sharing your happiness with everyone. You have given me my happy place, my rainbow!
Every night before bed we would give our best bits of the day and why. But I think we should take the time to appreciate the fact that you make us have a favourite part of the day, all day, every day!
Keep doing it everyone, keep going, you will help many people find their happy place and know that life can be good.
Love
Missy
This year Go Beyond will be sending out nearly 1000 presents to children that have been on a Go Beyond break. For many children it will be their only Christmas present. Supporting us helps bring joy, laughter and the gift of childhood to children in the UK. A Go Beyond break gives vulnerable children the gifts of confidence, resilience and friendship. It helps them dream of a brighter future and find hope!
*Missy’s name and some details of her story have been changed to protect her identity
