LATCH relies entirely on the generous donations and fundraising activities of volunteers, with no paid fundraisers, and we’re very proud to have one of the smallest administration expenses, proportionately, of any UK based charity.

LATCH commits to spending every penny wisely with the sole aim of supporting children receiving treatment for cancer or leukaemia as well as their families and we’re proud of our Trustees who receive no remuneration or benefits for their work, operating in an entirely voluntary capacity.

2018 saw a great number of successes for LATCH, including the launch of a new responsive website, a growth in our essential recruitment of volunteer ambassadors and the launch of our iPads for patients project, all set against a very challenging economic background.

The LATCH Social Worker Team assist families in applying for a range of LATCH grants designed to ease the financial burden, and in 2018 alone, LATCH gave out grants totalling over £385,184 to families of children with cancer and leukaemia for essential support such as travel to and from the hospital, heating bills and even mortgage and rent shortfalls.

LATCH grants cover a range of other needs such as:

• An initial financial support grant to cover the families’ immediate needs
• Subsistence grants to help with day to day living expenses
• General household expenses to cover utility bills and the purchase of specialised equipment for the home
• Childcare costs to help look after brother and sisters whilst the parents are in hospital
• Holiday grants to give the families a well-deserved break.

Accordingly, the cost of running LATCH has risen to over £800,000 per year which highlights just how essential every penny our supporters raise is to us.

We rely entirely on fundraisers in order to achieve our very ambitious aims, and extend a huge thank you to everyone who has helped us to help families who are experiencing one of the most difficult periods imaginable.