Caravans have always played a big part in Derrick Hemingsley’s life, so when he was made redundant from his job as a stock operations manager at Littlewoods Index in the West Midlands in 2005, he decided to follow his passion for the popular holiday vehicle. He and his wife Catherine, along with their friends Phillip and Sally Whittall, set up their own caravan accessories company, Care-avan.

 “Our accessories are intended to make caravanning more pleasurable and easier, and we pride ourselves on our ever-growing selection of quality products at affordable prices,” says Derrick (right).

Their first product was one of their own inventions called the ‘Drain-away’ waste pipe which helps prevent splashes and spills when emptying caravan waste. Practical Caravan magazine called it “ingenious”. But it is their most recent product, Care-avan Caravan Polish that has really put the company on the map.

“My wish for it to become the UK’s number one caravan polish came true when Practical Caravan magazine asked me to provide them with a sample bottle because they were going to test ten of the country’s best polishes on old and new caravans in their October 2006 edition,” says Derrick.

“We were being tested alongside some big companies like Turtle Wax and Mer Car Polish and we produced the best results – five stars out of five.  We were also selected as the Editor’s First Choice, beating many top brands.”

The company is now working on other products to help owners make the most of their caravans.

“These are exciting times,” says Derrick. “I’m living my dream of working with my hobby and loving the challenges that each day brings.

“God has been good to us opening many doors with the media.  We've been on Saga Radio, WM Radio, Sky TV "Caravan Channel" and in the Daily Express.

“We had an amazing opportunity over Christmas to witness to the community. WM Radio recorded their Christmas Day concert broadcast at our local church at Amblecote and I was able to share what God had done for me so far with our business.

“Our prayer is that God will continue to show the way forward and continue to bless our business and that it will grow from strength to strength.”