We had a lovely holiday September 2023 at Minydon cottage in Fairbourne, Wales and decided to book again for 2024. We booked on the 18th September 2023 and paid the required deposit £283.80 with the balance due on the 4th May 2024 for our holiday on week commencing 15th June. We saw no reason for travel insurance and were looking forward to our holiday. We had in fact planned to book a second week late September, so glad we didn't. It was with much regret we had to cancel our booking ref 4OMRJ-23-EN and did this the other day on the 21st February leaving Sykes plenty of time (4months notice) for other customers to take up the vacancy. By way of explanation, I was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Unfortunately, they also found a large tumour on my left kidney. My kidney was removed on the 8th February and I will now be convalescing for several weeks. Following on from this, I have an appointment with the oncology consultant on the 23rd April in preparation for radiotherapy treatment on my prostate which will take place 5 days a week for 4 weeks, a total of 20 treatments. The timing of this illness and planned treatment will prevent us from fulfilling our obligation to both Sykes and the property owner who has also been informed of my condition and not intervened. It is very disappointing for both of us as we had such a great time at Minydon last September and were so looking forward to staying there again. Whilst we appreciate terms and conditions state that deposits are non-returnable, we do believe that some discretion, empathy and compassion should be applied in such circumstances. We note on here that other cancer patients have been treated with similar contempt. Shame on you Sykes, your company is a disgrace. Roy Burns. Sykes have since made comments on my review which proves they have completely missed the point regarding discretion on refunds. I have cancer for goodness sake and am unable to go on holiday due to ongoing treatment. They say it's not fair to issue a refund. Is it "fair" to keep a deposit from someone who finds themselves in this position? Do they not have responsible management capable of making the right decisions instead of leaving it to junior office staff who just do as they are told and follow the rules to the letter so that Sykes can pocket the money ? Disgraceful.