HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, UNITED KINGDOM -- (Marketwire) -- 12/10/12 -- Haven raised an impressive GBP 105,436.92 for BBC children in need this year. All 35 parks got involved in fun activities to help the children.

At the start of 2012, Haven Holidays took the challenge of raising GBP 100,000 for BBC Children in Need, a charity who helps ensure that children in the UK have a safe childhood and a chance to reach their potential.

This year saw a whole host of creative and fun-packed activities that the team, guests and owners at Haven Holidays took part in. From parks beside the seaside to deep within the office, Haven's team all took a little time to raise money for a great and worthwhile cause.

Among the events was a sponsored swim across the English Channel with the team from Devon Cliffs led by their General Manager, Dave Bennett, as well as a triathlon from St Ives to Perran Sands, which included grueling sections of open water swimming. These events took the team hours and raised GBP 10,000 for charity between them. There was also a sponsored walk up The Goat Fell by 15 team members from Craig Tara and a whole host of smaller activities, from fun days to skydives, pop up bakeries to zumba-a-thons.

Caister holiday park was the top fundraising team, raising GBP 10,000.They arranged smaller events, such as quiz nights and 5-a-side football between owners and the team, and larger ones, such as a fete on the busy August Bank Holiday Weekend. Caister hopes to raise double the amount next year.

Overall, the team at Haven Family Holidays raised GBP 105,436.92 - a great total which can only improve next year when they continue to support the charity.

On the Children in Need appeal night, hundreds of team members, friends and family gathered at the Haven call center for a long night of collecting money on the telephones for the charity until 2am. They were offered a lending hand by Stavros Flatley and Same Difference, both acts who performed on Haven parks in 2012. On this evening, Haven raised a further GBP 82,592.

John Dunford, CEO for Haven, said "The creativity and commitment from the team and the support from our guests and owners on park has been overwhelming."

Annabel Causer, Haven's Partnership Manager sent a message on behalf of BBC Children in Need: "The team at Pudsey HQ would like to say a massive thank you to all the parks at Haven Holidays who have been busy fundraising. With every penny raised going directly towards helping disadvantaged children and young people right here in the UK, you really are making a difference."

With Appeal Night over and done with, Haven Holidays Parks has no time to rest; it's straight on to planning for 2013 so that more money can be raised for this well-deserving charity.

www.haven.com