The Prince’s Foundation and children’s charity Calum’s Cabin have joined forces to offer families luxury breaks

Families who are facing a battle with cancer are being offered the chance to spend special time together.

The Prince’s Foundation and children’s charity Calum’s Cabin have joined forces to offer families living with cancer short getaways at a beautiful five-star self-catering cottage at Dumfries House estate in East Ayrshire.

Caroline Speirs co-founded Calum’s Cabin alongside her husband Duncan and daughter Jenna to provide holiday homes on the Isle of Bute for children suffering from cancer or a cancer-related disease.

Caroline and Duncan were parents to Rothesay boy Calum Speirs, who sadly passed away at the age of 12 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. Calum had the idea, knowing he and his family lived in a beautiful part of the world, that children suffering from cancer could come to Bute for special getaways where the entire family could cherish quality time together, make special memories, and recharge their batteries for what may lie ahead. The charity now runs several holiday homes on Bute and private flats in Glasgow for families traveling to the city for treatments at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Care and Royal Hospital for Children.

Sitting on the edge of a 2000-acre Ayrshire estate and only a few hundred metres from a 18th century Palladian country house, Dumfries House Lodge is an exclusive five-star country guest house that offers 22 luxury guest rooms and two self-catering cottages. To tend to every need, the family-sized cottage is specially kitted out for each Calum’s Cabin break with staff on hand round the clock. Eight families have been referred through the children's charity so far to enjoy a four-night stay free of charge.

Expressing her thanks to the team at Dumfries House, Caroline said: “To allow Calum’s Cabin families to be helped in such a special way is an absolute honour. For many of the families who have had this opportunity, their conditions would have been just too severe to get away on holiday, or to come to Bute, therefore Dumfries House is just perfect. Sadly for some, it has been their final holiday together.

“The families have been blown away by their stays at Dumfries House. The peace and tranquility of the estate make it an ideal getaway and the staff could not have done more. Our families have come away from each break with unforgettable memories and a renewed energy and focus for whatever may come next. We are ever so grateful."

Louis MacCallum, director of commercial for The Prince’s Foundation at Dumfries House, said: “Anyone who has met Caroline and Duncan cannot fail to be inspired into helping their charity in any way they can. Being a Buteman myself, I was already aware of the wonderful work of Calum’s Cabin in Bute and in Glasgow and was delighted to be in a position to help.

“Dumfries House Lodge is perfect for families looking to recharge their batteries who may not be able to make the longer journey across to Bute. I am very proud to say that since we began our partnership back in April, we have welcomed eight families on to the estate who have all left with precious memories.”

During their four-night stay, lodge staff make the three-bedroom cottage as close to a ‘home-from-home’ as possible, with soft furnishings, cosy log fire and selection of DVDs. Families have access to a full cooked breakfast each morning, free holistic treatments at the health and wellbeing centre such as acupuncture, massages and reflexology, a tour of the main house, and swim in the open air pool in nearby New Cumnock. The Royal Hotel in Cumnock also kindly donates a free dinner for the whole family in their Bistro restaurant.

Colin Caird, general manager of Dumfries House Lodge, said: “Calum’s Cabin is an incredible charity and we are so pleased to be able to offer our help. While here, the families can access lots of fun activities on the estate and the surrounding areas.

“We put our heart and soul into helping these families because we know how important it is that they get to spend some time away together and make memories as a family. Our aim is to make their stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. It has been emotional, even overwhelming at times, but seeing how appreciative the families are means the world to all the staff.”

For more information and how to support Calum’s Cabin, visit the charity’s website.