The Rudolf Fund started from an idea that the Former Landlord of The Spade & Shovel, High St, Eye, Peterborough had and he approached John Fox with this idea and together they called a meeting and as a result The Rudolf Fund was founded in January 1997, The Rudolf Fund's main objective being to: -

"Make Christmas Special for Special Children"

The first year we sent 10 Special Children to Lapland to see Father Christmas; this was a very long and tiring day. Although it was a wonderful experience for the Children, it was very expensive, considering the short time they spent there.

We were not prepared for the overwhelming response and the total generosity of the people of Peterborough. Our intention was to do just the one off trip and call it a day. However because of this overwhelming generosity and such wonderful response, we decided to carry on but decided to change the venue.

In 1998, we adopted another idea of combining Christmas with Disney, so we sent 22 Special Children to Disneyland, Paris for two days. The wonderful combination of Christmas, Children and Disney made it a most magical trip for one and all and it was decided to keep this as our main venue for our trips in the future.

In 1999, we took another 35 Special Children and a parent, to Disneyland in Paris to stay at the Newport Bay hotel for three nights on a half board basis. This included two whole days in the Theme park, which was enjoyed by everyone without exception.

In 2000, we returned to the same hotel, this time on a Full Board basis, taking 28 Special Children. The number of children was down on last year due to the reason more families took advantage of paying for a place on the trip to be with their children. The trip was from Sunday 3rd December to Wednesday 6th December, giving the Children two whole days in Disneyland, to enjoy this magical experience. They also attended a Character breakfast where they met some of the characters of Disneyland, including the Famous "Mickey Mouse"

In 2001, we again took 35 Special Children to Disneyland in Paris and were upgraded to The Disney Hotel, due to an error in the booking arrangements. This again was a magical time, which was enjoyed by one and all, the magical combination again having such a rewarding effect on all the Children.

In 2002, we took 34 Special Children to Disneyland in Paris, which incorporated tickets to visit he newly opened Walt Disney Studios. This trip will always be special in our hearts due to the wonderful memories the committee have of all the families. There was one little girl in particular who stole our hearts and made us all realise just how important it is for us to keep things in perspective and keep going as long as we can.

In 2003, we included Young Carers in our criteria for the selection of Special Children due to the fact that most Young Carers spend most of their young lives looking after their Brothers or Sisters and the Committee felt that they deserved a break as well. We took 29 Special Children on this year's trip to Disneyland, Paris staying in the Newport Bay Hotel and we all agreed that it was one of the best organised trips that we have done, because of the magical combination of Children, Christmas and Disney.

In 2004, we took another 29 Special Children again to good old Disneyland, Paris and a good time was again had by all, including the committee, who accompanied the children on the trip, I hasten to add at their own expense. We are still very proud of our record of not taking a penny out of the funds for administration costs, so every penny donated is spent on the children; this is made possible by the committee members themselves.

In 2005, we took 27 Special Children on the trip and this proved to be one of the best trips so far, despite one of the coaches braking down on route back to England. The families were terrific, not a bad word to be said against us, and it was a pleasure to have been part of this trip.

In 2006, we took 31 Special Children and again we had a lot of nice families on the trip, who helped make the trip the success it was. This year it was very wet but only first thing in the morning, the rest of the day was sunny and the faces of children brought sunshine to your heart anyway.

In 2007, we took 28 Special Children to stay in the Newport Bay Hotel, again this year we had some really nice families on the trip, but sadly we had a bout of diarrhea and sickness within the group, but it did not affect moral or the enjoyment of Disney one bit.

In 2008, we took 31 Special Children to the Newport Bay Hotel and again it was another magical trip. The weather was good to us as it only rained on the first morning for about two hours and then the sun came out to cheer us all up.

In 2009, we took 26 Special Children to a new hotel for a change, The Sequoia Lodge which was excellent and we have now decided to use this hotel for future trips.

365  Special Children have benefited from our fund so far

We have up to 2010, raised more than £294.135.37p

The Rudolf Fund is affiliated to Peterborough Council for Voluntary Services. (P.C.V.S.)

Their Registered charity number is:- 299823.

They can be contacted at 3, Lincoln Court, Lincoln Road, Peterborough, Cambs. PE1 2RP.

Phone:- 01733-342683 or by E-Mail:- john.cunningham@pcvs.co.uk

Our accounts are available for inspection with our Treasurer, Angela.

Please ring John on 07540 358396 to make an appointment.

If you are not sure about our credibility then

I would encourage you to phone either of the above.

Most importantly of all, if you see anyone collecting money on behalf of

The Rudolf Fund by whatever means, Please let us know.

Nobody has any authority to collect for our charity without our full permission.

All persons should apply direct to The Committee of The Rudolf Fund.

Any person found to be carrying out such an act

without authority will be dealt with according to the Law