THE Alice’s Escapes charity is celebrating after securing support from a local business.

Lakes Leisure Kendal & Ulverston has agreed to offer the use of its facilities to families with seriously ill children.

It means families will be able to use the company’s swimming pools, sports clubs, tennis courts and football pitches.

The charity was set up in recognition of terminally-ill Ulverston teenager, Alice Pyne, 17, who succumbed to Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in January.

It provides holidays for families with seriously ill children.

Cathy Broomfield, the charity facilitator, said: “This is an incredible offer which will benefit all members of the family. We are so grateful to Lakes Leisure’s Caroline Smith, Chris Brookshaw, Darren Eccles and the whole team for providing this support.”

Mrs Broomfield said the charity continued to evolve and has established strong connections with those providing services for free.

She said: “We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of Tina Luke Photography to provide a personal photo shoot for each family to capture precious memories, also to South Lakes Wild Animal Park, Lakes Aquarium, the Steam Boat Gondola, the World of Beatrix Potter, The National Trust, Haverthwaite & Lakeside Railway, Windermere Lake Cruises, and Levens Hall.”

Other supporters include The Old Farmhouse and Amigos Mexican in Ulverston and Poppi Red.

Said Mrs Broomfield: “It is so exciting to see the charity grow and blossom and we're sure Alice would be so proud.”

Alice inspired thousands through her blog and ‘bucket list’ of dreams that she wanted to realise before she died.

For more info, visit http://www.alices-escapes.co.uk or its facebook page www.facebook.com/AlicesEscapes.

You can email business@alices-escapes.co.uk or call 07512 722641