Since Anam Cara Fasgadh was founded, every step forward has been possible only through the generosity, compassion and commitment of our fundraisers, donors, and supporters. Together, you have helped us create spaces of peace, remembrance, and healing for bereaved families across Scotland.

A New Chapter in Our Story

In May 2024, with Poppy’s Place almost fully booked for the entire year, the charity Directors launched the Cùram Cala Retreat Campaign to raise funds for a second haven of tranquillity. Soon after, in February 2025, following thoughtful discussions with the family-run team at Tralee Bay, it was confirmed that the lease for Poppy’s Place would conclude on 31 December 2025.

The response from our community was extraordinary. Individuals, families, organisations, and long-standing supporters rallied around the campaign, and by November 2025, Anam Cara Fasgadh was able to place a deposit on a brand-new caravan at Tralee Bay Coastal Parks. With this purchase comes a 13–15 year lease, securing our presence on the coastline of Argyll and ensuring that families will continue to have access to a sanctuary of stillness and support for many years to come.

A Name Filled With Love and Meaning

The Directors were deeply honoured to invite Jonathan and Laura McLeish to name the new caravan. From the earliest days of the charity, Jonathan and Laura have been a tremendous source of strength and generosity, raising over £18,000 towards the retreat’s creation.

On Saturday 22 November 2025, Jonathan, Laura, and their children—Hollie, Jude, and Calvin—travelled from Bishopton to Tralee Bay to officially name the new caravan Gabriel’s Oasis, in memory of their precious son, Gabriel William McLeish, who was born still on Wednesday 17 June 2020. At the time Jonathan & Laura shared, “We have never known pain like it. What pain could be worse than your baby dying before they have even lived? A life unlived, memories unmade, laughter unheard... all the hopes and dreams we had for our family turned to ashes.”

The charity Directors are profoundly moved that Jonathan and Laura chose to bestow Gabriel’s name upon this new haven. It is our honour to carry Gabriel’s story forward in a space that will offer comfort, rest, and compassion to many grieving families. We look forward with full hearts to welcoming families to Gabriel’s Oasis when it opens in February 2026.

How You Can Support Gabriel’s Oasis

Although the caravan has now been secured, we still need to raise a minimum of £15,000 to cover essential ongoing costs, including:

Annual site fees
Electricity and gas
Weekly cleaning
Groceries and household essentials
Thoughtfully prepared welcome gifts for visiting families

Every donation, no matter the size, helps sustain this sanctuary for those walking the hardest of paths.

Please donate what you can, or chat with us about creating your own fundraising campaign.

Donate

Anam Cara Fasgadh’s core aim is to gift free restorative holidays to families bereaved through the death of a baby, child, or young person. Gabriel’s Oasis continues this mission by offering a peaceful, fully equipped retreat where families can rest, remember, and reconnect.

To book a stay at Gabriel’s Oasis, please contact Irene on info@anamcarafasgadh.org

Our new caravan, Gabriel’s Oasis, is located at Tralee Bay Coastal Parks in Benderloch, Argyll. Thoughtfully furnished and designed for comfort, it sleeps up to 6 people (4 in two bedrooms, plus a double sofa bed in the lounge). Please note that pets are not permitted.

A comparable 7-night stay at Tralee Bay typically costs £855–£990, and many families who first visit through Anam Cara Fasgadh return the following year by booking directly with Tralee Bay—testament to just how special this location is.

A Haven by the Water

Gabriel’s Oasis is situated in the quieter, private end of the family-run holiday park, which nestles on the shores of Ardmucknish Bay within 26 acres of beautiful woodland. The caravan’s decking overlooks a tranquil lake—perfect for feeding ducks and watching the fish—and the beach is only a 5-minute walk away.

Tralee Bay Holidays offers a wonderful range of amenities, including:

Children’s play park with zip wire
Putting green
BBQ area
Fly-fishing pond
Slipway for launching boats
Stunning coastal and woodland walks
An award-winning chip shop

The nearby village of Benderloch lies just 8 miles north of Oban, the Gateway to the Isles, and 36 miles from Fort William, home to the UK’s highest mountain.

Inside Gabriel’s Oasis

🏡 2 Bedrooms (1 en-suite king, 1 twin) + Double sofa bed in lounge (sleeps up to 6)
🛁 Main bathroom
🍽️ Open-plan kitchen, dining & living area
🌐 WiFi included
🧺 Linen, towels (1 set per person) & all utilities provided