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Home / About Us
About Kent Kids Miles of Smiles
Kent Kids Miles of Smiles was founded in March 1993, with the sole aim of spreading some sunshine into the lives of sick and disabled children. It was a follow on from various involvements by certain members of the founding group, with a National Charity. Holiday trips were organised for sick and disabled children, taking some 20 children per year on various holidays. It soon became apparent that there were many more children who so richly deserved this opportunity. Our research showed us that there were in excess of 5000 children, just in Kent, who would fall within the Charities auspices.
Fund raising began in earnest and a minimum of 20 children per year enjoyed organised holiday fun trips. Whilst at the same time, a pot of money was growing. In June 1995, a large house on the outskirts of Canterbury was purchased. Work commenced on converting and equipping this property using a different theme in each room. At the same time, there was still a minimum of 20 children each year enjoying holiday trips, both home and abroad.
The house (Footprints) was completed in December 1998. It was then registered with the Kent County Council Social Services, in order to be able to run the house as a Registered Care Centre. This registration procedure was completed at the end of April 1999. Kent Kids Miles of Smiles Registered Care House Footprints was officially opened on 9th May 1999.
Footprints has an excellent reputation for the quality of care with children and young people with profound and multiple disabilities. Here we believe that they are people first who have rights to privacy, choice, dignity and self respect, as well as the right to be consulted and informed and to make choices about their lifestyles. We ensure our staff and volunteer helpers are appropriately qualified, trained and well supported.
In late 2004 after 5 years of Footprints being open Kent Kids purchased the house next door called Redwalls. After obtaining the Trustees consent to extend onto the original building it has been converted into a beautiful 6 bed-roomed bungalow, with the main objective of caring for adults/young people over the age of 18. Redwalls was officially opened in November 2007 and, along with other young people from across Kent, the children/young adults who reside at Footprints will, if they choose, be able to continue their care in the same surroundings.
Although Kent Kids Miles Of Smiles has been running now for over 16 years, and Footprints for 10 years, it is still a constant struggle to raise the money needed to run and maintain both Footprints and Redwalls, due amongst other things, to the high cost of the specialised equipment needed within permanent and respite care as well as staffing our unique “one-to-one” care service.
It’s not just the general running costs, we are always looking to provide more and more to help stimulate and educate the children and young adults as much as possible, this ranges from our indoor Hydrotherapy Spa and Sensory/Quiet Room to our outdoor Play-area in the garden and soon to be built Sensory Garden where the children and young people can explore a whole range of senses and sounds, or simply chill out in a safe relaxed enviroment.
Over the years we have brought happiness and laughter to many, many children, and taken them out on holidays and activities that normally would not have been possible for most of them, none of this would have ever been possible however without the decency and generosity of local communities and kind individuals supporting us and helping us fundraise for a much needed cause, whether it be a small village coffee morning or a big and daring sponsored event every penny helps and we are always extremely grateful to anyone wishing to support us!
Anyone interested in volunteering in any way at either of our lovely houses, or maybe even organising a fundraising event should please get in touch with our office on 01227 780796 or see the rest of the website for other ways in which you could help.   
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