St Saviours Medical Charity

St Saviours Medical Charity, originally founded to operate St Saviour's Hospital in Hythe (sold in 1989 with proceeds invested for grants), is a volunteer-led organisation dedicated to alleviating suffering by providing free private healthcare access to low-income residents of the Folkestone & Hythe District in Kent facing severe quality-of-life declines from NHS waiting lists. Rooted in principles of medical necessity, financial hardship, and neighbourly solidarity, it directs over 90% of its independent investment income to grants, eschewing public fundraising and operating with unpaid trustees for efficient, targeted impact.

It prioritises non-repayable grants for individuals undergoing essential inpatient surgical or medical procedures unavailable promptly via the NHS, alongside one-off support for local health charities and institutions to buy equipment or enhance services—such as funding Pilgrims Hospice's palliative nurse or Kent MS Therapy Centre initiatives—focusing exclusively on health advancement, life-saving interventions, and community wellbeing in its defined area.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, voluntary groups, and individuals residing in Folkestone & Hythe (preferably five years or more), with clinical need and hardship validated by independent GPs or consultants; no religious restrictions apply, and unsolicited applications from local health entities are welcomed.

Grants typically range from £2,000 to £20,000 (averaging £8,000 for individuals in 2024/25), awarded on a rolling basis via a simple application form, consultant letter, and home visit, with trustee decisions within weeks to two months. It excludes ongoing core costs, unrestricted funding, and repeat individual grants within five years (except exceptions), distinguishing itself through rapid, needs-led responses, clinical rigor, and a unique endowment enabling substantial local health equity without administrative bloat.