BIG-HEARTED GUESTS and holiday home owners at a Dorset holiday parks group have been thanked for helping create a donation of over £9,000 for good causes based on the Jurassic Coast.
The sum was raised throughout 2025 by West Dorset Leisure Holidays which owns six top-rated parks located along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
The donation was described by parks group Director Martin Cox as “a fantastic boost for four organisations working tirelessly to protect our beautiful but fragile coastline”.
And he paid tribute to the generous spirit of all the park customers who contributed to West Dorset Leisure Holidays’ long-running fundraising appeal:
“Many of our visitors, as well as those who own holiday lodges and caravans, choose our parks because of their passion for the natural beauty of this exceptional stretch of England’s coast.
“For that reason, they have always been keen to support causes connected with its conservation and to be involved in protecting it for future generations.
“Our voluntary donation scheme applied to bookings and pitch fees gives them the opportunity to do just that, and to know that they are helping to make a real difference.
“Although the donations are optional, we find that around ninety percent of people using our parks do choose to contribute to these voluntary bodies through our scheme,” said Martin.
West Dorset Leisure Holidays is run by Martin and his wife Vanessa plus their sons James and Robert, and its flagship is Highlands End Holiday Park in Bridport.
The farm-based park first started welcoming guests in 1971, and provides a dramatic cliff-top location with panoramic views across 99 miles of Dorset and Devon coastline.
Martin Cox said that his group’s donations scheme would continue in 2026, and that growing visitor numbers could see a new record sum being raised for local charities.
The four organisations benefitting from latest donations are:
West Bay Discovery Centre (www.westbaydiscoverycentre.org). This free Jurassic Coast themed visitor attraction run by volunteers offers a fascinating insight into the natural, cultural and maritime heritage of the surrounding harbour, cliffs and beaches. Special exhibitions and activities take place throughout the year, including interpreted walks. WDLH’s donation will help fund a new West Bay guidebook and the centre’s collaborative environmental art project involving local schools.
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre (www.charmouth.org). The Centre plays a vital role in helping visitors understand and enjoy responsibly one of the best fossil-hunting locations in the UK. There are hands-on exhibits, expert advice, guided walks and fascinating insights into the area’s prehistoric past, and its team pioneer a range of environmental initiatives, including wildlife conservation projects. Its donation will help run educational sessions for local schools and groups.
Clean Jurassic Coast (www.cleanjurassiccoast.uk). Volunteers at this not-for-profit Community Interest Company organise numerous coastal clean-ups, both on the beach and via kayak or boat in hard-to-reach parts of the coastline. Passionate about the marine plastic crisis, they are dedicated to protecting wildlife. Their donation will fund a project to build beach toy libraries made from recycled plastic waste, and to develop advanced ways of removing microplastics from the sea.
The South West Coast Path Association (www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk) plays a crucial role in protecting and maintaining England’s longest National Trail, ensuring that millions of walkers can continue to enjoy its spectacular coastal landscapes. Their work is particularly important along the Jurassic Coast where natural erosion continually reshapes the cliffs and coastline, especially after winter storms. Its funding from WDLH will help support the work of its 100-plus volunteers.
There is more information about the local causes being helped by voluntary donations raised by West Dorset Leisure Holidays on this link. The group is a member of the Holiday and Residential Parks Association (HARPA).
