Our History
The first fun day out for disadvantaged children took place back in 1990
Lady Grantchester, of the Moore’s family and owners of Littlewoods, suggested to the Rotary Club in Kingston, where she lived, that they take disadvantaged children on a day out. She approached Peter Jarvis who, together with fellow Rotarians Graham Child and John Saxton, devised and promoted the concept of KidsOut.
Lady Grantchester (1925-2019), KidsOut Founder and Patron
A deal was struck, and in 1990 the Kingston Rotary Club and Kingston Littlewoods store organised an outing for 200 children to go to Thorpe Park. The day was so successful that Lady Grantchester offered a one-off grant to any Rotary Club willing to take part in a similar event on the second Wednesday in June.
Almost overnight, 800 Rotary Clubs from across the UK came together to create National Rotary KidsOut Day. It quickly became the largest single-day outing for disadvantaged children in the UK, giving tens of thousands of children the opportunity to enjoy a special day out each year.
At National Rotary KidsOut Day in June 2024, Rotary Clubs and KidsOut worked together to provide an unforgettable day for an incredible 28,000 children across the UK.
The generous support of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland has been instrumental in helping KidsOut deliver its services to some of the UK’s most disadvantaged children over the past 35 years.
We are immensely grateful to the many Rotary groups and clubs that have donated funds to KidsOut. Their continued support enables us to keep bringing fun, happiness, and positive experiences to children who need them most.
How can you help?
By buying a disadvantaged child a fun day out, you can help make happy memories that last forever.
