Childhood cancer is a life changing diagnosis.

It affects the child diagnosed but also their siblings, parents and their friends and teachers at school. A child with cancer faces prolonged periods of time away from school in isolation and in hospital. The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust cannot change the child’s diagnosis, but we can help to make a real difference by giving them some hope and a level of normality whilst they are fighting their illness.

Why do we need these robots?

By giving isolated children this ‘window’ to their friends and the outside world, we can help them to bridge the gap. The AV1 robot allows children in a hospital bed to interact with their classroom and their peers at the same time. Not only does this bring hope and positivity to children (and their families) affected by cancer but also to their peers who are facing the sudden disappearance of their friend. We have seen how Oscar, Lucy and Zain, who have already been given the use of our AV1 robots, have already benefitted.

How many children need help?

In the counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, there are approximately 75 children diagnosed with cancer every year, with around 40 being of school age. Of these school children, more than a half will need extended periods of hospitalisation or isolation during their treatment. Our aim is to be able to support these children with our AV1 machines wherever possible. Over the first three years of the project, we aim to purchase 18 new AV1 machines and support packages for these children to use. Referrals will be made directly from cancer specialist nurse teams to ensure that the children that need them are not missed.

More information on our website >>

During the present Covid crisis we have extended our objectives to include services for those who have lost during the coronavirus pandemic.  

When the Covid – 19 crisis began to emerge we grew very concerned that families who lost during this time would have not had the “non World” bereavement experience and reflected on how this would be affecting those concerned and their mental health. To lose a loved one and not be able to visit them in their last moments, see them after they had died and at times not been able to attend their funerals leaves a huge gap and perhaps lack of acceptance and form of reality and this would have effects on a person’s emotional well-being. With that in mind we began the process to adapt to the current crisis and try to help.

Cherished Gowns UK is a charity that provides the families of babies that are stillborn, miscarried or pass away shortly after birth with items of clothing that they are able to be dressed in for their funeral. We offer five sizes of Cherished Gowns, and each gown is accompanied by a hat, pair of booties, a blanket and a cloth nappy. These items are provided completely free of charge to parents, funeral directors, and we also supply every UK hospital with this service. All of the items that we provide are lovingly made by volunteers around the UK, from donated Wedding Dresses.

It can be very scary when in hospital, purchase a care package for a cardiac family in Birmingham Childrens Hospital 

The child will receive a bravery certificatewith the date of their open heart surgery and a build bear to keep, there will also be various items for the child and parents this will vary depending on the age of the child.

the picture is for a 1 week old baby girl 

A bear to remember a child that has passed

Word Forest works with unsupported schools in Coastal Province, Kenya to build safe, cool classrooms, providing educational spaces for the children and for the community too. For every classroom we build we plant 4,000 fruit and nut trees around the school compound. 

The gift of the cropping food forest aims to instil a sense of responsibility in the school children, and nurture their spirit of care.

This legacy planting programme will give classroom students nutritious meals, as well as give everyone shade and protection from the weather, help reduce damage from flooding, provide safe habitats for wildlife, clean the air and combat climate change.

Your donation will help us reforest Kenya with extra fruit and trees for the schools we work with. Thank you.