Dragonfly Cancer Trust

Dragonfly Cancer Trust is a small national charity dedicated to supporting children and young people under the age of 25 who are living with a life-limiting cancer diagnosis. Our mission is simple yet profound: to help families make precious memories together at a time when every moment matters.

We believe that young people facing the unimaginable should still be able to experience joy, create keepsakes, and share special moments with those they love most. That’s why we focus on memory-making initiatives - from funding family holidays and special day trips, to providing creative projects such as personalised memory boxes and keepsakes that families can treasure forever.

We work closely with hospitals, hospices, and palliative care teams across the UK - including Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, and Weston Park Hospital- ensuring our support reaches families at the most difficult time of their lives. By collaborating with healthcare professionals, we can respond quickly and provide the right kind of support exactly when it is needed.

Every year, hundreds of young patients and families benefit from our work. We’ve helped children enjoy unforgettable experiences like meeting their heroes, celebrating birthdays with loved ones, or simply enjoying a day out without the weight of illness. These moments may seem small, but to the families we support they are priceless.

We also provide Activity Boxes to over 60 hospitals and hospices across the UK. Each box is filled with arts and crafts materials that give young patients an outlet for creativity, distraction, and self-expression during long hospital stays. These activities not only help pass the time but also offer children and families a way to create keepsakes together, turning difficult days into opportunities for memory-making.

Our values - compassion, dignity, and hope, are at the heart of everything we do. We know we can’t change a diagnosis, but we can change how a family spends the time they have together. Our vision is that no young person with a life-limiting cancer diagnosis should miss out on the chance to create special memories.

The impact of Dragonfly Cancer Trust is best described by the families themselves: parents who tell us how much it meant to see their child smile again, or siblings who treasure a keepsake that helps them feel close after their loss. These stories drive us forward and remind us why our work is so important.

We rely entirely on the generosity of our supporters, volunteers, and corporate partners. From fundraising events and community challenges to business partnerships, every donation helps us continue making moments that matter.

Together, we can bring light to the darkest of times and ensure that every child and young person has the chance to leave behind memories filled with love.