Record number of grants for families of disabled children

Family Fund, the UK’s largest provider of grants to low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people, helped 68,551 families across the UK in 2013/14 – a record year.

Family Fund helps low-income families raising disabled and seriously ill children to have the same choices, quality of life, opportunities and aspirations as other families. They do this by providing grants for essential items such as family breaks, computers, sensory toys, beds, white goods, clothing, tablets and much more.

Their 2013/14 annual review, every day we change lives, highlights a record year of achievements as they celebrated their 40th birthday.

The charity helped 68,551 families across the UK with over £33 million in grants – an increase from 2012/13 of over 1,600 families on the same level of funding. A total of 2,078 of these families received help within 48 hours of placing their urgent application, for example, when they had unexpected costs for hospital care.

This was the case for Lisa, from Ayr, when her daughter Grace needed treatment.

“Grace was in hospital for two months and the cost of a 70-mile round trip was quite a financial burden. The Family Fund was my saviour, I made an application and within 48 hours the Fund helped me with the cost. I don’t know how I would have afforded to be with Grace at that urgent time.”

The annual review also highlights how the Family Fund has improved its efficiency to increase the amount of money going to families, with more than 94p in every £1 now going directly to families in grants or services.

Cheryl Ward, Family Fund Chief Executive said:

“The families we support live on the lowest of incomes and are feeling the pressure more than ever. Everyday can be a struggle as they manage to care for their children with what can be lots of support or very little.”

“Over the past 40 years, we have supported over 800,000 families with a wide range of needs, which gives us an unprecedented understanding of the daily challenges faced. With ongoing support from funders, partners, supporters and our families, we can build on a historic 40 years and continue to break down everyday barriers for families.”

The annual review can be read at www.familyfund.org.uk/annualreview.