by Joe Jeffrey
Every once in a while we at CaravanTimes come across a story that pulls at our heartstrings and this is one of those times
It would be hard to disagree with the fact that those in the caravan community are a thoughtful bunch – even if we do say it ourselves. And, as we’re sure you can attest, caravanning not only helps bring upon relationships that can last a lifetime, by way of the people we meet out and about on our travels, but the pastime also reveals how nice people can actually be. Robbie Brown, founder of Caravan Rescue, is proof of just that.
Caravan Rescue was established by Robbie, from Erith in Kent, in October last year to help source unwanted caravans and accessories and to give them to those who need them most. And, although in its infancy, the small organisation has already started to help people, by providing them with dormant caravans that would otherwise be left to collect dust on driveways or in storage in order to allow others to experience caravanning and all the joys it can bring.
The idea of Caravan Rescue came by way of avid caravanner Robbie’s own personal experience when searching for a caravan to take his two disabled children away in back in 2012.
“We were lucky enough to be given a caravan,” Robbie begins. “After putting an ad on Preloved.co.uk, a really nice couple got in touch who offered us their caravan for free, as it was taking up too much space in their garden and they rarely used it.”
When Robbie and his son, who suffers from cerebral palsy, turned up to view the caravan, they were elated – not only with the caravan itself, but with the couple’s kindness and generosity shown towards them.
The caravan given to Robbie provided he and his family the much-needed holiday they deserved, but Robbie couldn’t help but think of others who were in a similar position and felt like finding a way to provide them with the opportunity he had been given. A chance conversation with a couple of fellow caravanners on Facebook saw Robbie put his new found plans into action.
“I was on a caravan Facebook page one evening, and we were just chatting to a couple about caravans. When I asked what caravan they had they told me they didn’t have one,” Robbie says.
“The lady we were speaking to told me that her husband had just recovered from cancer and finished chemotherapy and, as we continued to talk, more and more people got involved in the open conversation,” he continues.
“Lots of suggestions were raised as to how this couple could get away and have a caravan holiday, and I thought ‘wouldn’t it be a great idea if we could all take a look out for caravans that are sitting dormant in people’s driveways or gardens that we could possibly put to good use.’ And that’s how it began,” says Robbie. The idea of Caravan Rescue was born.
Robbie’s plans sprung into action. Starting up a Facebook page dedicated to Caravan Rescue, the premise was simple: know of any caravans that aren’t being put to good use, but could be? Let Caravan Rescue know.
The idea soon began to flourish and has, in just a short few months, attracted well over one hundred members and counting – each of whom play an active part in ensuring they keep their eyes and ears open wherever they are based in order to look out for caravans and accessories that could go to someone who needs them. A Twitter page has also since been launched.
Of the rising number of members to the group, Robbie says: “We’ve now got members as far north as Scotland right down to Cornwall. There’s such a spirit of community, with many offering to keep a look out for caravans and pick them up if any opportunities arise.”
Caravan Rescue has already started to help provide people with memories that will last a lifetime, including Malcolm Davis and his son Freddy, who also has cerebral palsy. Robbie explains: “A friend of one of our members contacted me and asked if we could help and a nice couple approached me and said they had a little two-berth Swift caravan, asking if it would be of interest to us. I emailed Malcolm and told him about this and the couple even offered to drop it off to him.”
Upon Malcolm and his son seeing the caravan for the first time, Robbie says: “Malcolm’s son’s face was a picture and he got his dad, Malcolm to sleep with him in it that night. It was so nice just to see the reaction. I thought, ‘That’s it; if I don’t give away any more caravans, I don’t care.’ That moment made it for me and made everything I’d worked towards so worthwhile.”
Robbie, who has been caravanning for as long as he can remember, understands that Caravan Rescue would not be possible without the help of the support he receives from the caravan community.
“Not only do we have all the members on Facebook,” he says, “but also all their families and friends chipping in, so it’s hard to say exactly how many people are involved. We’ve got people reaching out telling us that they’ll have words with dealerships on our behalf and so much more. The response has been spectacular.”
As for those looking to cash in on the generosity provided by the caravanning community, Robbie has learned to fish out the fakes from those who need help the most. He says: “I’ve learned to spot them a mile off. If there’s someone genuine out there though, we will help them. However, we’re not going to give away free caravans for people to make a profit from. That’s not what we’re about.”
And, as charitable as Caravan Rescue sounds, that’s not what it’s all about, as Robbie explains.
“We specifically said from the beginning that we’re not a charity. The people we help have got their pride the same as the rest of us and the last thing we want is for the people we help to consider themselves being given a caravan or anything else by a charity. We’re just a good group of caravan owners and their friends that want to help. It’s as simple as that.”
So where does Robbie see Caravan Rescue heading in the future?
“Going forward, the dream would be to have two or three caravans going to those who need them each week… even if it was just one caravan a month, it would be one family that’s getting out there and having a holiday.
“We already know families who haven’t had holidays in over a decade. We go away and it costs £45 for a weekend – some sites are even cheaper than that. If we can help someone get away for a much-needed break, then that’s what we want to achieve.”
To help Robbie realise his dream and help provide others with memories they’ll never forget, why not sign up to the Caravan Rescue Facebook page here or follow Caravan Rescue on Twitter by clicking here.
