Destination Florida Children's Charity

What Destination Florida Children's Charity does

Destination Florida Children's Charity is a UK-registered charity (number 1003674) headquartered in Manchester that provides eight-day, fully-funded trips to Florida's premier theme parks for children with life-limiting conditions from the North of England. Founded in 1988 by Doctor David Evans and Sister Alex Shaw with British Airways ground-staff support, and formally registered as a charity in 1991, the organisation has enabled approximately 1,600 children to participate in trips across more than 35 years. Each annual trip accommodates up to 72 children supported by a mobile medical escort of approximately 110 adults — including paediatric doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and non-medical helpers — providing round-the-clock clinical oversight, accommodation, flights, food, theme-park access, and spending money.

The operating model is volunteer-centric and entirely free to beneficiaries. Children are nominated through healthcare professionals and families, vetted by a Medical Trustee (currently a Consultant in Paediatric High Dependency Care at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital), and travel with full clinical support. There is no proprietary technology platform; the "product" is the trip itself, delivered through relationships with healthcare providers, corporate sponsors, and a recurring volunteer workforce.

The charity is funded through five revenue streams: individual donations, corporate sponsorship packages (water bottles, individual children, meet-and-greet days, Universal tickets), grants (e.g., £11,019 from MAPP in 2026), signature fundraising events (Ladies Lunch, Summer Ball, Padel Tournament), and Charity-of-the-Year corporate partnerships — most notably Morson Group, which generated £120,000 in 2025-2026. The board is chaired by Stephen Ashworth (CEO of Hurstwood Holdings) with Ged Mason OBE (CEO of Morson Group) as Deputy Chair, and the organisation received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2020. Geographic reach is intentionally constrained to children from the North of England, with the Florida destination delivered via partner Give Kids The World Village.

Name

Destination Florida Children's Charity

Legal name

Destination Florida Children's Charity

Website

https://destinationflorida.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Destination Florida Children's Charity is a UK-registered charity providing eight-day, medically-supported trips to Florida's theme parks for children with life-limiting conditions from the North of England, funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Charity Services

NAICS

Child Care Services (62441), Child and Youth Services (62411), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Hotel & Travel Babysitting (In-Room/Resort) (HSAAAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pediatric Home Health & Pediatric Private Duty Nursing (HLAFAEAJ), Family & Kid-Friendly All-Inclusive Resorts (THAGAKAA), Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF)

Keywords

• Children's charity services
• Life-limiting condition support
• Medically-supervised travel
• Corporate charity partnerships
• Volunteer fundraising programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual donations from supporters, including one-time and recurring contributions. Donations can be made through the website or downloadable donation forms.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors provide financial support at various levels including sponsoring individual children, water bottles, meet and greet days, full days for attendees, and Universal tickets. Sponsors include Morson Group, Hurstwood Holdings, Tatton Asset, CorpAcq, and others.
3. Grants: Grants from organizations such as MAPP (£10,000 grant plus £1,019 matched funding) to support trip operations.
4. Fundraising Events: Revenue from hosted events including Ladies Lunch (£25,000+ raised in 2026), Summer Ball, Padel Tournament (£25,000 raised), and various community challenges.
5. Charity of the Year Partnerships: Corporate partners select the charity as their Charity of the Year, raising funds through various activities. Morson Group raised £120,000 for Destination Florida as Charity of the Year.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Destination Florida Children's Charity provides eight-day life-changing trips to Florida for children with life-limiting conditions from the North of England. Each trip accommodates 72 children and is supported by a mobile hospital of 110 medical and non-medical professionals including doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists. The charity covers all expenses including flights, accommodation, food, theme park tickets, and spending money, with the service provided free to beneficiaries and funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events.

Product overview

Destination Florida Children's Charity operates a single integrated program providing life-changing eight-day trips to Florida for children with life-limiting conditions. The core offering includes the Florida Trip Experience Program supported by four enabling services: Donation & Fundraising Services for individual supporters, Corporate Sponsorship Program for businesses, Child Nomination Program for referring healthcare professionals, and Volunteer Program for medical and non-medical helpers. Each trip accommodates 72 children and is supported by a mobile hospital of 110 medical professionals, with all expenses covered including flights, accommodation, food, theme park tickets, and $40 daily spending money per child.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Florida Trip Experience Program An eight-day trip program providing 72 children from the North of England with life-limiting conditions the opportunity to visit Florida's premier theme parks including Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios, and Islands of Adventure. Each trip includes round-the-clock medical support from 110 professionals including doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists, with all expenses covered.
• Donation & Fundraising Services Charitable giving program allowing supporters to donate funds, download fundraising guides, access corporate partnership brochures, and contribute to specific trip elements such as water bottles, pocket money, travel visas, food, and theme park tickets for children.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Corporate partnership opportunity allowing businesses to sponsor various aspects of trips including water bottles, individual children, meet and greet days, full days for attendees, and Universal tickets for all attendees.
• Child Nomination Program Nomination system allowing healthcare professionals and caregivers to nominate children with life-limiting conditions for consideration to join Florida trips. Includes medical guidance from Dr Graham Mason MRCPCH regarding suitable conditions.
• Volunteer Program Program recruiting medical volunteers (paediatric doctors, nurses, physiotherapists) and non-medical volunteers to support trips. Volunteers must be physically fit, undergo enhanced DBS checks, and raise at least £600 towards their place.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,600 children enabled to experience life-changing trips
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Scrap Car ComparisonminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 September 2025Scrap Car Comparison selected Destination Florida as their featured charity partner for the 'Donate a Car' scheme. Proceeds from scrap car sales can be donated to the charity. Founded in 2016, the company offers hassle-free car disposal services.
• Carrier TravelminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 March 2025Luxury travel company Carrier Travel selected Destination Florida as their Charity of the Year. The partnership includes fundraising activities such as the Manchester 10k run in May 2025. Carrier Travel curates luxury holiday experiences globally.
• Morson GroupcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 January 2025Morson Group selected Destination Florida as one of their two Charities of the Year for 2025-2026. The company's staff voted to support the charity and Prostate Cancer UK. Through various events including golf days, paddle competitions, and runs, Morson raised £120,000 for Destination Florida. Ged Mason OBE, CEO of Morson Group, serves as Deputy Chair of the charity.
• Let's Book FloridaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 December 2024Family-run travel company specializing in Florida holidays selected Destination Florida as their first charity partner. They offer package holidays, villas, car hire, theme park tickets, and hotel bookings with a Florida-themed marketplace.
• Kindertons Accident ManagementminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2024Kindertons Accident Management selected Destination Florida as their Charity of the Year and raised £10,000 in the first eight months through various staff fundraising events. They had 15 months remaining to reach their target.
• DransfieldminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for the 2025 trip. Logo displayed on charity website among Champions of Hope sponsors.
• BeechfieldminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for the 2025 trip. Logo displayed on charity website among Champions of Hope sponsors.
• CorpAcqminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for the 2025 trip. Logo displayed on charity website among Champions of Hope sponsors.
• Give Kids The World VillagecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit resort in Florida that provides accommodation and experiences for children with life-limiting conditions and their families visiting Florida theme parks. Logo displayed among key partners.
• Tatton Asset ManagementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for the 2025 trip. Logo displayed on charity website among Champions of Hope sponsors.
• Orlando AttractionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing attractions/tickets support for the 2025 trip. Logo displayed on charity website among Champions of Hope sponsors.
• Together MoneyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for the 2025 trip. Logo displayed on charity website among Champions of Hope sponsors.
• DJH AccountantsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for the 2025 trip. Logo displayed on charity website among Champions of Hope sponsors.
• Hurstwood HoldingsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for the 2025 trip. Chairman Stephen Ashworth is CEO of Hurstwood Holdings and chairs the charity's board.
• Barrons ButchersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for the 2025 trip. Logo displayed on charity website among Champions of Hope sponsors.
• British AirwaysminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOriginal founding partner from 1988 - British Airways ground staff supported the first trip with 25 children. Historical partner instrumental in establishing the charity.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@DestinationFloridaCharity
• Facebookfacebook.com/destinationflorida
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/destinationfloridachildren'scharity
• Instagraminstagram.com/destinationfloridacharity
• Xx.com/destflorida

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Destination Florida Children's Charity