Charity Cottage in the Morvan

A Holiday Home Raising Money for War Veterans

Charity Cottage offers visitors a holiday home from home with the added satisfaction of helping a worthwhile charity – because every penny goes to Combat Stress, which cares for UK veterans who have been traumatised by their harrowing experiences during their service career.

The Morvan is a breathtakingly beautiful Parc Naturel et Régional in rural Burgundy – think of the Dales with better roads and fewer crowds. It is here that John and Rosy Rabson settled in 2005. In 2012 they put the finishing touches to Charity Cottage in their garden at Maré le Bas, a pretty hamlet between Corbigny and Lormes and equidistant between the Channel and the Mediterranean. In spring 2013 Charity Cottage won the British Charity category in the Daily Telegraph’s Best of British promotion, in recognition of which the owners were awarded a trophy and a certificate.

The Morvan offers many pleasant places to stay – try the Parc du Morvan Tourist Office for places and prices. You will not find Charity Cottage there, however, because the Rabsons do not want to attract clients away from anyone who runs a gîte or B&B as a business.

Charity Cottage sleeps up to five, with a spacious double bedroom and double and single sofa beds in the living area. There is a shower room and loo, a well-equipped kitchenette with crockery, cutlery and glassware for six people. Everything a discerning guest would expect is provided, plus everything they would hope for but would be unlikely to find in a commercial holiday home. There are the obvious things like private parking, a microwave, garden furniture, a hair-dryer, towels and tissues. There are also bits like a sewing kit, umbrellas, books, a hot water bottle, a radio, writing materials, tourist information, coffee, tea and a welcome pack.

How much? That’s up to you. John and Rosy ask for donations to Combat Stress. UK taxpayers can take advantage of Gift Aid – the closest thing to a present from the taxman!

• Contact details: [email protected]; tel. +33 (0)3 86 20 25 50