Childhood Eye Cancer Trust

The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT), founded in 1987 as the Retinoblastoma Society and now the UK's sole charity dedicated exclusively to retinoblastoma—a rare, aggressive eye cancer mainly affecting children under six—exists to improve outcomes, provide lifelong practical, emotional, and financial support, raise awareness, and fund research for those affected, including children, families, teens, young adults, and indirectly impacted adults. Guided by compassion, resilience, and empowerment, CHECT integrates lived experience from trustees and staff personally touched by the disease, blending peer support, advocacy, direct aid (e.g., over 2,500 hours of one-to-one care annually), prosthetic eye aids, hardship grants for travel, and resources for psychosocial wellbeing.

It funds retinoblastoma-specific projects worldwide if they benefit the UK community: medical research (e.g., genetics, clinical trials, psychological outcomes), awareness campaigns in schools and clinics, family relief, peer events, and interventions enhancing early detection, treatment, self-esteem, and social participation. Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities and academic institutions with no income thresholds or geographic base restrictions, but proposals must demonstrate direct retinoblastoma relevance and measurable impact.

Grants up to £25,000 support targeted projects (not core costs, unrestricted funding, or capital), applied via email to petra.maxwell@chect.org.uk using the official form; annually reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Committee and Board, with the next deadline Friday 1 August 2025 (outcomes by March 2026). CHECT uniquely stands as the national voice for retinoblastoma, rejecting non-aligned causes to maintain laser-focused, evidence-led transformation of lives through earlier diagnosis and holistic support.