See below for a list of UK based organizations and are some ideas to get you thinking, but why not give one of the charities a ring and see what else you can dream up between you!
Adults
The Willow Foundation
Organises special days for young adults (age 16-40), offering much needed time out from the stresses of living with a life-threatening condition, a chance to feel normal and to create happy memories.
Tel: 01707 259777
Odyssey
A charity which enhances the quality of life for people over 18 with cancer, through imaginative programmes of challenging and dramatic activities using the outdoors. The Odyssey programme in its present form is five days long and runs eight times a year.
Tel: 0845 3632207
Adults and Children
Something to Look Forward to
For people with cancer and their families to access a variety of gifts generously donated by people and companies
Vitalise
A national charity providing short breaks (respite care) and other services for disabled people, visually impaired people and carers, at five accessible UK centres in Cornwall, Nottingham, Southport, Essex and Southampton.
Tel: 0303 303 0145
A charity based organisation that aims to improve the quality of life for individuals and their families who have been affected by cancer. Offers a variety of sailing experiences. Also awards grants for the provision of equipment within cancer wards and hospices.
Tel: 0845 408 1849
Children and Young People
Sebastian’s Action Trust
The UK’s only purpose-built facility that will offer respite holidays to very sick children and their families, enabling precious time to be spent together. They also give practical support in many different forms to children battling with life-limiting illnesses and provide meaningful assistance at critical times to families exhausted by the stresses of hospital life and their child’s gruelling treatment. The Trust supports families in the South East, principally from Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, however, they are happy to welcome families from outside these areas.
The Starlight Children’s Foundation
Starlight is the national children’s charity that grants magical wishes to children with life-threatening terminal illnesses, and creates entertainment and fun for children in hospitals and hospices to help them cope with the pain, fear and isolation of their illness. A Starlight wish can be anything including being a policeman for the day, a special trip to London to see a show, the latest games console or even an adventure abroad with the whole family. If you want to put a child forward for a wish, please email [email protected] for a referral form. Children should be between 4-18 years old.
Tel: 020 7262 2881
The Rainbow Trust
This children’s charity provides practical and emotional support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness. Family Support workers join the family in their own home and are there to provide practical support.
Tel: 01372 363 438
Rays of Sunshine
The charity helps by granting the wishes of terminally and seriously ill children aged 3 to 18, however impossible that wish may seem. They also purchase equipment such as electronic wheelchair or specialist keyboards to make their lives easier, and help hospitals, hospices and special schools to improve their facilities.
Tel: 020 8782 1171
The Children’s Trust
The charity works with children who have multiple disabilities and complex health needs arising from acquired brain injuries such as brain tumours, and their families, offering short breaks. They are based in Surrey but offer their services across the UK, focussing on the area from East Anglia to Wales and south of that line.
Tel: 01737 365 000
Over the Wall
A charity providing residential activity camps for children and young people affected by serious and life limiting illnesses.
Tel: 01420 820 86
Youth Cancer Trust
A unique charity based in sunny Bournemouth. It provides free, fun activity based holidays for young people aged 14-30 suffering from cancer or any other malignant disease from anywhere in the UK.
Ellen Macarthur Trust
This charity takes young people aged between 8-18 sailing to help them regain their confidence on their way to recovery from cancer and other serious illnesses.
Kids Cancer Charity
Supports families affected by children’s cancer including play therapy
and a holiday programme which ranges from luxury static caravans in Wales to resort holidays in Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Paris.
Tel: 01792 480 500
Dreams Come True
Brings joy to terminally and seriously ill children by fulfilling their treasured dreams.
Tel: 01730 815 000
Donna’s Dream House
The Donna’s Dream House Charity in Blackpool is a locally based trust providing free holiday experiences for children and teenagers with life-threatening illnesses and their families, and for recently bereaved siblings and their families
Tel: 01253 752222