"I'm bored" - sound familiar?
Most parents worry about how to keep their kids entertained over the summer holidays and this is especially true for single parents who often have to make money and resources stretch further. Trips out are expensive and the latest gizmos all cost money. Which is why Gingerbread - the charity for lone parent families - has come up with the UK's top 50 tips to keep kids entertained on a budget.

The 50 inspirational ideas, which have all been successfully tried and tested by single mums and dads - from pond dipping to an indoor day at the beach- came from a survey undertaken in partnership with www. Moneybasics.co.uk, an independent financial website launched by GE Money, Credit Action and the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS).

The survey found that 67.6% of lone parents struggle to keep their children entertained over the summer holidays, with 64% of parents saying their main difficulty was lack of money.

When lone parents completed the survey, they were asked to send in their best tips to Gingerbread who produced the top 50 guide from 281 ideas.

Angie Fenn, Gingerbread's Advice Services Manager said "At this time of year, the Gingerbread Advice Line receives an enormous amount of enquiries from mums and dads looking for low cost ways to entertain and occupy their children during the summer holidays. This free, inspirational guide brings together, in one place, a range of ideas and experiences from Gingerbread members themselves. It's great that members of Gingerbread have been able to support other lone parents in this way, by having the opportunity to contribute to this guide."

Jean Burke, Head of Corporate Responsibility at GE Money said "Having children is undoubtedly one of the biggest transformations a person can through in their life, often leaving the finances very stretched. This is why we were delighted to help produce this wonderful guide based on tried and tested methods, suggested by Gingerbread members, to keep the kids amused without having to break the bank".

Janet Marshall from Bedfordshire who submitted the top tip said "when I heard about the guide I thought it was such a worthwhile thing as a book of ideas for things to do cheaply for single parents is desperately needed. I am overjoyed that my ideas can now help other lone parents"

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Figures show that 13 million adults say they find it hard to get independent, simple money advice. which is why GE Money, one of Britain's biggest providers of consumer credit launched www.moneybasics.co.uk in partnership with Credit Action and the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) . Since its launch the site has received over 2.5 million visitors and offers information for every lifestyle - from young and old to families and single people.

For further information contact:
Robert Buller
External Communication Manager
GE Money 6 Agar Street
London WC2N 4HR
Tel: 020 7853 1831
Fax: 020 7853 1910
E-mail: robert.buller@ge.com

GE Money

GE Money is the new trading name of Consumer Finance (GECF), one of the world's leading consumer finance services to consumers, retailers and auto dealers. Headquartered in the US, GE Money operates in 48 countries around the world and has assets worth over $150 billion.

In the UK, GE Money offers credit cards, fixed-term retail credit, loans, mortgages and auto finance. GE Money also operates retail branded credit cards for fashion retailers, department stores and supermarkets. Further information about GE Money can be found at

www.gemoney.co.uk.

Gingerbread:Gingerbread is an organisation for Lone Parent Families. It is the leading and largest charity providing help for 1.8 million lone parents and their children throughout England and Wales.

Gingerbread is the only national organisation led by lone parents for lone parents