A couple fined £2,000 for taking their children on holiday during termtime have ‘no regrets’ as they still saved thousands of pounds on their once-in-lifetime trip.

Rebekah Richardson, 38, and Dale Wood, 46, wanted to take their children – Jacob, eight, and Oliver, seven – to Universal Studios and Disneyland in Florida. 

But when the couple, from Clowne, Derbyshire, compared the price of going in September during termtime to the October half term they were astonished to see a £5,000 price difference.

The parents decided to instead go during the school term but are now ‘struggling to cope’ as they are facing huge fines from their local authority.

Derbyshire County Council issued a fixed penalty notice to both parents – ordering Rebekah to pay £924 and Dale £1,044.

Picture shows Jacob and Oliver meeting Captain America on their holiday to Orlando, Florida

Rebekah Richardson, 38, and Dale Wood, 46, pictured at Universal Studios with their two boys, Jacob and Oliver 

Rebekah Richardson (pictured) said it ‘isn’t fair’ because she knows other parents that did the same but were not penalised 

The parents decided to take their sons on the once-in-a-lifetime holiday during termtime because they calculated savings of £5,000

Jacob and Oliver meet Goofy on their trip to Florida

Rebekah Richardson and Dale Wood with children meeting two Green Goblins in Florida

If they did not pay up within 28 days, they would have risked potentially being prosecuted for their children’s absence from school – though they have now started a payment plan.

Rebekah said: ‘We’re being treated as criminals for taking our young kids on holiday.

‘I feel as parents we’re penalised for everything now. I have no regrets as a parent – I think you can’t ever regret spending time together as a family.

‘The fine situation. it’s like Russian roulette – some get fined, some don’t – which is unfair.

‘Either every parent gets fined or none, you can’t pick and choose. I don’t think we should get criminal records.’

Dale, an army veteran who now works for a water company, had been suffering from PTSD after his brother, Gavin, died suddenly aged 35 from complications related to taking the Covid vaccine.

The holiday – from September 12 to September 27 – was in part a getaway because he had been suffering with his mental health and the destination was his late brother Gavin’s favourite place.

Rebekah said the holiday was ‘magical’ but now worries that she will have to cancel Christmas for her family because they are ‘totally skint.’

Rebekah said: ‘We went swimming with the dolphins – the kids loved it, they even held an alligator.’

‘They loved meeting all the Marvel characters and meeting Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

‘It was so nice to get away but now we are very stressed and worried what will happen.’

On Tuesday May 30, Rebekah and Dale were stunned to receive a court summons – ordering Rebekah to pay £924 and Dale £1,044.

The family pose in front of Universal Studios iconic fountain 

Jacob and Oliver pose in front of the Cinderella Castle at Disneyland in Florida

The family pose during the trip they took from September 12 to September 27

Rebekah Richardson and Dale Wood with children on the trip to Florida last year

To make matters worse, Dale – who earns a wage via contracts – had been off work since January due to his mental health and only returned three weeks ago.

Rebekah said: ‘Dale wasn’t working in November and doesn’t earn a regular daily wage – we are now really skint.

‘When the fine came through in December 2023, it was the difference between having Christmas and not.’

The couple are currently disputing the amount – due to their financial circumstances changing.

‘We are scared we will now have a criminal record and it will go against our credit rating,’ Rebekah said.

The family-of-four posing for a picture with Disney’s iconic Cinderella Castle in the background

Rebekah claimed other parents have done the same and not been fined, she said ‘it’s not fair’ that it’s one rule for some and a different rule for others.

The family are now behind on every bill and have had to set up a direct debit and pay £170-a-month off the fine. 

‘We’re being treated as criminals for taking our kids on holiday, they’re not year 11 and sitting GCSEs,’ Rebekah said.

‘And it’s alright for teachers to go on strike which made me have to take unpaid time off as I am self-employed.’