Family Fund turns 50

Today, Sunday 2 April, we mark 50 years of providing essential grants and services to UK families raising a disabled, or seriously ill child.

We gave our very first grant on this day, back in 1973, to a dad in Wales so he could travel to London to visit his little girl in hospital. Fifty years, and over 1.5million grants later, we’re still working tirelessly to get grants and services to families across the UK.

As costs-of-living remain sky-high we’re in greater demand than ever before- with a 135% increase in grant applications since before the pandemic. Behind each grant is a unique family story.

Some of the families we support share their birthday messages to us:

Cheryl Ward, Family Fund’s Chief Executive, said:

“For 50 years we’ve played a vital role in supporting families with disabled or seriously ill children. We are helping to make life easier with grants and services. But we also make their voices heard. Sharing their experiences influence lasting change on issues that matter to them.

“We are proud of the way we have supported families over this time, and continue, as we have for 50 years, to be led by what parents and carers themselves tell us what they need to make a difference to family life.”

“However, we are needed now more than ever. We continue to see the highest numbers of families coming to us for help in our history. Families are overwhelmed by living costs. They face staggering financial pressures which are now affecting their children’s quality of life.  

“We are committed to continue to work with all of our funders to continue to grow our support for families and to help as many families as possible.”

Join in

We’re asking people to support families at this extremely challenging time, by getting involved with our 50th anniversary fundraising activities- The Big Birthday Brunch and Challenge 50.