Care for Kids North Devon provides
family grants to those in need.
We give instant financial support to
families who have a child
diagnosed with a
life-threatening illness,
to ease the pressure of
caring for a very
poorly child.
Care for Kids North Devon provides instant financial assistance to families that have a child diagnosed with a life-threatening illness e.g. a cancer, a heart condition, cystic fibrosis or a head injury. Because of North Devon’s rural location, all seriously ill children are now treated in specialist Children’s Hospitals in Bristol or beyond. For families in North Devon this presents financial concerns caused by the loss of earnings, subsistence costs and travel costs for traveling and staying in away from home (e.g. Bristol, Oxford, Birmingham or London).
Every year, we issue between 10 and 20 instant grants of £1,000 to local families in need.
Sometimes families need a little extra support and we will issue a further grant to help them. Every family is different but we're here to support everyone who needs our help.
Upon diagnosis of a life-threatening illness, Care for Kids can provide a family with instant financial assistance for those most in need.
Each family eligible for a grant is asked to complete a simple Grant Application Form which has a few tick boxes to assess a family’s means. The Grant Application Forms are provided by staff at the Caroline Thorpe children’s ward, who will help to complete the form. It must be signed by a consultant and approved by the charity’s trustees before any grant is awarded. Sometimes further payments are made in exceptional circumstances.
If you would like to read our full Grant Making Policy please get in touch.
Ollie after all his treatment was complete
Cassie's story
"I worked a zero hours contract at the hospital as an HCA which meant I had no income as I was unable to pick up any shifts. Ollie has a younger brother who was 18 months old at the time which meant Shaun, my husband /the boys dad had to take time off work to care for him while I was in Bristol with Ollie.
Being given a lump sum of money upon diagnosis meant we could focus on starting treatment and getting our heads around the journey ahead. This was invaluable. There are so many worries that come with a cancer diagnosis, to be able to set aside financial worries for that first month gave us the headspace we needed to deal with everything else.
Not only this, we have been in and out of Caroline Thorpe ward throughout treatment with various infections due to his compromised immune system. Any time we had to head there Ollie's first words were always "can I go in the playroom?" That space is amazing!!! It normalises a very clinical and scary environment for children. The side rooms became our second home at times and they are so wonderfully decorated, they feel welcoming and fun.
Thank you, from all of us, for making this journey that bit easier."
If you are not under the care of the Caroline Thorpe Children’s Ward, but you need a grant for your child who has a life threatening illness or condition please call the ward for advice on 01271 322704.
