Four years ago today, we opened the doors to our Award Winning Ripple Retreat.

The Ripple Retreat is the realisation of our dream. To provide young cancer patients and their families with a soothing place of relaxation when they need it most. A space away from hospitals, doctors and appointments, where they can spend quality time together in a safe environment.

We were very lucky to have the land in the beautiful Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, on the banks of Loch Venachar, donated to us by David and Jean Ferguson and the Retreat itself designed by award winning architect Tony Kettle, who also designed the Falkirk Wheel. We owe further thanks to the Planning Team at the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park for their advice and support before and during build.

After an 18 month build, Charity Founders Lynne and Ian McNicoll opened our Ripple Retreat with TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, our founding Patron Grant Stott and our Young Ambassadors Kira Noble, Alfie Byrne, Tabby Lawson and Danielle McDonald on 12 May 2017 in the presence of many of our friends and supporters.

It was such a fantastic and emotional day.

Since then, we have welcomed many more people to the Retreat. Over 80 families have enjoyed a break there and many mums have had a well earned relaxation day in the space. We have also held fun days for families, and open days for donors and for some of the professional teams who also support the families so they can see for themselves what we have to offer.

We are grateful to a great many individuals and businesses who volunteer for us and support us in countless ways and today we share our birthday thanks with them and look forward to their ongoing support in the year ahead.

As the world starts to move again, we are very much looking forward to welcoming families back to the Ripple Retreat very soon.

Meantime, Happy 4th Birthday, Ripple Retreat!

Thanks to our friends Bleeker for making this wonderful video.