This year marks a significant milestone for a beloved national charity. The Rainbow Trust Children's Charity is celebrating 40 years of delivering essential support to families navigating the immense challenges of caring for a child with a life-threatening or serious illness.
Four Decades of Family-Led Care
Founded in 1986 by Bernadette Cleary, the charity began from a simple act of compassion. Bernadette started by supporting a friend whose daughter had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, operating from her own kitchen. That humble beginning has blossomed into a trusted national service, yet the core mission remains unchanged: providing practical and deep emotional support directly to families, often around their own kitchen tables.
Rainbow Trust's unique model offers wraparound, family-led care. From the moment of diagnosis, their highly trained family support workers step in to provide tailored assistance that evolves with each family's needs. This support is not just for the sick child but extends to parents, siblings, and the wider family, acknowledging that a serious childhood illness impacts everyone.
The Unwavering Need for Support
Zillah Bingley, the charity's Chief Executive, emphasises the critical nature of their work. "Our strength lies in providing consistent, compassionate and tailored care to families coping with the most challenging of times," she said. "No other UK service provides such truly family-focused support."
She further highlighted the long-term impact, stating, "Without the right support, the trauma can be lifelong." The charity works alongside professional health services to help create cherished moments together and support entire families facing the unimaginable prospect that their child may die.
Looking to the Future: A Call to Action for 2026
As Rainbow Trust reflects on its 40-year legacy, the focus is firmly on the future. Demand for its vital children's social palliative care continues to grow. The charity is committed to expanding its reach while maintaining the quality of care that has defined it for four decades.
The charity is urging the public to consider making 2026 the year they get involved. There are numerous ways to contribute and help more families access this crucial support:
- Making a direct donation to fund their work.
- Taking on a fitness or sporting challenge through their events programme.
- Exploring fundraising opportunities, volunteering at events, or even leaving a legacy in a will.
As Zillah Bingley concludes, "As we look to the future, our commitment remains the same: no family should face serious childhood illness alone."
