Cornwall Leukaemia Trust

Cornwall Leukaemia Trust, established in 1981, is a place-based charity dedicated to supporting patients and families in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly affected by leukaemia and allied haematological disorders, while advancing care at the Haematology Department of Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust in Truro. Founded by lay and professional trustees, its mission emphasises tangible, patient-centred impact through practical welfare support, staff development, and local service innovation, guided by values of accountability, clinical relevance, and stewardship of investment income and donations.

The Trust funds three core areas: direct financial aid to individuals facing hardship from illness or treatment (e.g., travel for specialist care); educational grants for NHS haematology staff training and conferences; and clinical research, equipment, or one-off projects led by the local NHS team, often in collaboration with national partners. Priorities centre on immediate quality-of-life improvements and enhancing regional haematology services for Cornish residents, with a preference for visible, direct benefits over large-scale research.

Eligibility is highly restrictive: applications are not accepted unsolicited and must come via a written outline endorsed by a consultant Trustee within Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, targeting patients, families, or linked NHS staff rather than external charities. Beneficiaries must reside in Cornwall/Isles of Scilly or receive care there; no income thresholds apply. Grants are assessed rolling on demonstrable need, typically up to £1,500 for individuals and modest for others, as one-off payments without ongoing commitments.

Distinctively, the Trust avoids open calls, external organisational funding, or non-local projects, prioritising its tight NHS partnership and insider clinical referrals for efficient, hyper-local impact in blood cancer care.