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‘We came close to shutting for ever’
Apollo 2000 Manager Paul Taylor (left) presents Dream House founder Len Curtis with the appliances
THE boss at Donna’s Dream House has told how close his family came to closing the charity’s doors for good after fire ripped through the premises.
Len Curtis, chairman of the Blackpool charity has spoken of his joy as generous donations continue to flow in and speedy progress is made to restore the Chapel Street site to its former glory.
But during dark days at Christmas, Mr Curtis said he considered walking away from the scheme which his family has run for the last 16 years.
He said: “If it hadn’t been for a few very close friends, I don’t know if we’d have kept going. We were close to throwing in the towel. We lost so much of Donna’s memorabilia in the fire – it was hard for our family.
“Friends we were with at New Year convinced us we had to keep Donna’s dream alive and we are so grateful we did. The support we’ve had is just phenomenal.”
The holiday home for terminally ill children was set up in honour of Mr Curtis’s daughter Donna who died at the age of 20.
Burglars broke in on December 20 last year and electrical items were stolen. They then forced open another cabin and set fire to it causing extensive damage.
Two 18-year-old men from Blackpool were arrested on suspicion of arson and burglary following the fire.
They were later released on bail pending further police inquiries.
Meanwhile, work is going full steam ahead and Mr Curtis is hoping to relaunch with a party on March 31. New cabins have been ordered and the cabin housing the health suite has been restored.
Yesterday, generous staff at Apollo 2000 electrical wholesalers on Talbot Road, Blackpool donated £1,000 worth of goods to the charity. The gift included items such as a drinks fridge, a Dyson vacuum cleaner, a plasma TV and a microwave.
Mr Curtis added: “We plan to name the new cabin Phoenix House because it has risen from the ashes.”
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Wednesday 30 May 2012
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Comments
There are 10 comments to this article
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Blackpools Finest
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 07:43 PMI have known len and his good lady all my life in Blackpool, indeed the late Donna and they are a really good family, yes they have made money and they still live well, but keep a vision on the charity.....its there for the sick and needy god bless them.
Blackpools Finest
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 07:40 PMss
keep-smiling
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 01:00 PMIndespair, While many much LARGER charities DO pay their staffvolunteers, Donna's Dream House does NOT! Len and his wife used to run a successful hotel in Blackpool and still have other business from which they have their own personal income. As far as i'm aware owning a USED jag is not a crime!!!! I agree with Alan, Bispham that maybe you should go and have a look at the hard work and dedication that takes place at Donna's Dream House! Many Families have made many happy memories at Donna's Dream House during a much needed break at a very difficult time for them. For some of these families it might be their very last holiday when they can ALL be together and enjoy their child.
cardy
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 12:43 AMAlan, Bispham# Does Len still have the place on HIghfield road??? It doesnt seem to be mentioned anywhere
Alan, Bispham
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 10:29 PMHi Indespair, In answer to your comments and your question. You would be right about your comments with most other charities, where high salaries are paid to people at the top. This is not the case at Donna's Dream House, where everybody is a volunteer from top to bottom - nobody gets paid. This can be confirmed by looking at the Charity's accounts. Len Curtis is also a local businessman and his business alows him to run a Jag. It also alows him to work at Donna's Dream House without having to draw a wage from the charity. Donna's Dream House works in partnership with Kirkham Prison as part of their rehabilitation programme, as do other charities on the Fylde. If you want to come down to Donna's Dream House at any time to have look round and find out how the charity is operated, you would be made very welcome.
indespair
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 08:18 PMWhile admiring the work Len has done with his family in his late daughter Donna's name, I think the headline of closing forever is a bit strong, after all it's a charity and as we all know the people at the top pay themselves a healthy wage and charity is big big business, a couple of Jag's parked in the grounds of the dream house last time I looked. Also i believe serving prisoners from HMP Kirkham work in the shop on Chapel Street, what's that all about?? Anyone??
faceless
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 03:58 PMand let out on bail says it all dunnit
Renshaw Woods
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 01:46 PM#1 Sounds good. The thing is though. Would they be casing up the place for thier next raid. These are not normal people dont forget. Scum is scum and will never change. The Birch would be a good idea.
offerscoffer7
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 12:36 PMThere is a Phoenix House in Blackpool off Whitegate drive - for mentally ill, so is it a good idea to use same name... I wouldn't have thought so.
Steve James
Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 11:43 AMSadly, even if the offenders are found eventually caught, prosecuted, and found guilty, the punishment will not fit the crime. They should be made to do volunteer work at the Dream House, in the hope that they wil appreciate just how much this valuable asset means to those who use it.
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