The Lakeside Retreat
Our biggest project ever. The Malcolm Whales Foundation – Lakeside Retreat at Rookery Waters…
Completion expected in the early Autumn!
See below for updates
23rd July 2024
The Lodge is progressing at pace. The external structure is almost complete.
We are moving into our next phase. We need to complete:
- The kitchen/bathroom
- The plastering
- Flooring
- Decorating
- Furnishing
- Decking
I have included a weekly video updates below, you can also visit the Lakeside Retreat Facebook page
May 2024
At the moment we are gathering offers or possible interest. Hopefully in the next 6 weeks we will need help. The plan (loosely) is to have a couple of working weekends where people can offer as much or as little time as they can. We may also do some evenings. We don’t want people to loose earnings etc.
Once we are up and running. We hope families might want to fish while they are there. We may be asking volunteers to teach/help those that don’t know how!
Regular updates can be seen via our Facebook Page HERE
April 2024
The lodge has now been designed, ordered and is under construction. The picture shows the beginning of the groundworks.
We are expecting the construction on-site by the middle of June.
We then need support with the purchase of the bathroom, kitchen, electricals, interior furnishing and the exterior – the decking, furniture etc.
We will also need help with the installation of the kitchen/bathroom/decking…
If all goes well and we get enough support we hope to open the lodge to our first families in early autumn.
Update (April 202): The lodge has been ordered. The design will give the lodge two bedrooms and an open plan kitchen and lounge.
We are expecting the lodge to be built and operational by summer 2024.
The build doesn’t come with a Kitchen or Bathroom – we need to buy and install these, if you are able to help please get in touch. themalcolmwhalesfoundation@gmail.com
The Malcolm Whales Respite breaks
We are delighted to announce our major project for 2022/23.
TMWFs biggest fundraiser ever has launched. This year’s challenge is to raise £85,000 + to build The Malcolm Whales Lakeside Retreat. The lodge will provide a free respite breaks for families and individuals affected by cancer.
The lodge will be situated on the bank of ‘Rook’ fishing lake at Rookery Waters, Pidley. It will provide quiet and essential family time. It is situated 4 miles from Warboys, 11 miles from Huntingdon and 22 miles from Cambridge.
Rookery Waters is a quiet family run leisure facility with seven lake fisheries, a tackle shop, a café, a caravan site and holiday lodges all located in the quiet Cambridgeshire countryside.
The lodge will have its own private fishing platform. Its location is ½ mile from Lakeside lodge, a golf complex with ten pin bowling, a restaurant and bar facilities. We are hoping that we will be able to provide additional opportunities and experiences for the families whilst they stay – which will include fishing equipment, bikes, toys, electronic devices etc.
The lodge will be available free of charge, 12 months of the year, for families undergoing treatment and wanting some time away. The exact details around accessing the lodge will be decided upon once we are up and running and fully understand the demand.
What can you do to to help?
- If you would like to donate – visit the lodge justgiving page
- To make contact with us please email themalcolmwhalesfoundation@gmail.com
- If you are local and might be able to offer services free or at a reduced rate to further enhance their stay at the lodge please get in contact with us.
- Share the story, we need people to know about it.
Lastly and perhaps most importantly:
The biggest thank you must go to the German family who own Rookery Waters and have offered the land where the lodge will be located rent free. As a family they are some of the biggest supporters of the Foundation and this couldn’t be demonstrated more than by this level of generosity. I am very lucky to have them as my in-laws and I appreciate all the support that they offer to me and to the charity – thank you!