About the charity

We want to make a difference. Large or small, for an individual or a group, all our donations – and we have given more than £250,000 since we were set up in 2007 – go to people and causes where they can really have an impact in the communities we serve.

One of the largest donations of recent years was of £16,000 to the Focus Support Centre attached to Cheltenham and Gloucester hospitals. Raised in one evening at a 1920s-themed ball, that money has paid for the refurbishment of the Centre for the benefit of more than 4,000 cancer patients a year.

Run by volunteers, the centre offers every new patient support throughout their treatment and beyond. But it needed updating and making into a more welcoming and comfortable space, with private areas so that patients could have confidential conversations or where those with hair loss could try on wigs.

The donation paid for new doors and redecoration to make the limited space warm and welcoming, new furniture so that patients can be comfortable, screens to give privacy and dignity, and more wall space for information and leaflet displays.

Ali Williams, the centre manager, said: “It feels so much better for patients, their families and for us the staff. It’s welcoming, accessible and feels professional, and it’s been hugely appreciated by our patients.”

At the other end of the scale, a £1,000 donation meant that Thomas Harrhy from Ross on Wye could have a new wheelchair with an electric cycle attachment which converted the manual chair into a battery-power trike.

Thomas, who has cerebral palsy, spastic diplegia and a learning delay, needed more from his wheelchair as he grew up. The donation, which enhanced other pledges from his family’s fund-raising, meant that he could get around under his own power.

His father Dave explained: “The extra power means that Thomas can get around Ross under his own power, rather than having to be pushed; the slopes in Ross are too steep for him to manage on his own. It also means that he can come with us when we all cycle in the Forest of Dean.

“The Trust’s donation is amazing – with the pledge, we have reached and exceeded our original fund-raising goal.”

The money we give is raised by HCR staff and often match-funded by the firm – we believe very strongly that fund-raising should be supported and rewarded. From cake sales to the Three Peaks Challenge, from a sponsored walk to the Couch2Summit challenge, our people literally go the extra mile for other people – we honour their generosity and effort.

Large or small, our donations focus on direct benefit to the people who live and work in the same communities as we do and we are always happy to receive requests for funding.