The Charity

We are a Dorset based charity that supports local children who have serious and complex chronic conditions, life-limiting conditions and children receiving palliative care. It is our aim to enable children and their families to be able to have fun through the tough times that many face whether that is by funding a family day out, a special trip, leisure activities, or providing requested items that enhance the child’s fun, learning or memory making.

We were set up by a local family who lost their daughter Amelia to an aggressive form of childhood cancer in 2010. Amelia was fun loving and generous to the core. Whilst receiving treatment Amelia used some of her money to buy an Xbox for one of her friends with whom she had spent time with in the hospital. She appreciated the gifts that she had benefited from; but felt that other children should also have the same. After her passing, her parents Karl and Chantel used her inspiration to help other families in need.

The Amelia Grace Rainbow Fund was officially set up in 2012 and now goes by the name of Amelia’s Rainbow

 

We help over 170 families a year and over the last 9 years we have given out hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of grants/gifts. The Rainbow Gifts applications are often diverse with examples including iPad’s, adapted tricycles, laptops with speech therapy software and social activities such as swimming or dancing lessons.

We believe in the power of family and making memories, so in 2015 we purchased a holiday home “Amelia’s Retreat” outside Highcliffe. The home is fully funded through donations and is free for our families to book and use. The charity also has a beach hut in Bournemouth which families can use free of charge…whatever the weather!

Amelia’s Rainbow is a needs driven charity and we are seeing an increase in the number of families that require our support. We believe in working within our community to create a network of support and provide a conduit to allow others to help families in Dorset.

To request a copy of our happiness grant application form please contact us using our online contact form here.