People’s Choice Award 2025 Bronze £2.5-£5million
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity supports families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness. Family Support Worker Monica has been supporting 13-year-old Luke and his family with both practical and emotional support.
Last year, Luke was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic lymphoma, a cancer of the blood. He endured intensive chemotherapy, long periods of isolation and he had to leave school because of the treatment.
Lindsey, Luke’s grandmother, became his primary carer, alongside caring full time for Luke’s mum, Laura, who is disabled. Their lives became a relentless cycle of hospital visits and treatments.
Family Support Worker Monica began to support the family practically and emotionally in May 2024. Before Rainbow Trust, Luke had not been out or seen friends for 10 months.
Monica has been supporting Luke as he adjusts to going back to school after spending so long at hospital and home, helping with his anxiety and social development. Monica also supports Lindsey, giving her respite and a chance to do some essential tasks. For the family, Monica is a stable presence that they know they can rely on whenever they need support.
“When they told me I had cancer we all burst out crying. Family Support Worker Monica is the nicest person I’ve met. Monica makes me laugh and it makes me happy to be around different people. Rainbow Trust has made a very big difference in my life after the isolation I've been through.” - Luke
Luke's Story is being used for our Christmas Appeal. The funds raised during the Appeal will allow Rainbow Trust Family Support Workers provide crucial help to more families caring for their seriously ill child, who are facing the unimaginable and who are in urgent need of support, just like Luke’s.
Rainbow Trust is the leading organisation providing emotional and practical support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness.
There are over 86,000* children in England with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. This number has trebled over the last 17 years and is rising. Thousands of families have to face the very real possibility that their child may die and struggle to cope on a day to day basis. Rainbow Trust pairs each family with an expert Family Support Worker who provide a lifeline to these families and children, enabling them to make the most of their time together, giving them practical and emotional support, whenever they need it, for as long as is needed.
We support the whole family including parents, carers, the unwell child, brothers, sisters and grandparents. Support is hugely varied and depends on the needs of the family. It can include:
*Make Every Child Count study, University of York, 2020
We align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
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