A group of kidney patients and their loved ones are enjoying a holiday in Holland thanks to the fundraising efforts of the United Norwich Kidney Patients Association.

Each year the group organises an annual break for renal patients to enable them to enjoy a vacation that would otherwise be very difficult for them to take because of treatment demands and high holiday insurance costs.

This year's holiday group of about 50 people set off by coach from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital on Thursday destined for the south of Holland where they are staying at a place called Goes.

Sandy Lines, chairman of the UNKPA, said: 'With renal patients having dialysis three times a week it can take over their lives.

'I had one lady tell me if it was not for the holiday they would not be able to go away.

'It is a change of scenery and a chance for everyone to meet people.'

Speaking as they were heading off on the trip, Mrs Lines said they would be staying at a holiday park close to a dialysis unit so the patients have easy access to dialysis treatment.

'It is right on the beach so we spend some time on the beach, and there is also a lovely restaurant nearby that does a special menu for us,' she said.

'Our coach goes out each day for the patients that are not dialysing and also the family members, and we are also planning a trip to Bruges in Belgium for everyone.'

She said this year's trip was paid for thanks to a mixture of fundraising efforts.

She said: 'This year it has cost �31,000 and it gets harder every year to raise the money.

'We stand outside supermarkets, have raffles, regular table top sales, golf days, other events, and whatever we can think of. We are so grateful for donations.' The holiday group travelled to Holland with a Nott Johnson coach and a Stena Line ferry from Harwich, and Mrs Lines said the organisation was very grateful for everyone who had helped to make the trip possible.

The United Norwich Kidney Patient Association was registered as a charity in 1980 and now support patients receiving treatment at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Cromer Hospital, and the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston

For more about the United Norwich Kidney Patients Association visit www.unkpa.org. Anybody able to donate funds to the association should call Mrs Lines on 01603 782282.

Are you raising funds for a good cause? Call reporter Rosa McMahon on 01603 772495 or email rosa.mcmahon@archant.co.uk