Good causes

WPA Benevolent
Foundation

The Foundation supports projects throughout the United Kingdom and, as well as other projects promoting good health, is currently focused on supporting the purchase of healthy physical activity equipment in schools.

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WPA Charitable
Foundation

The WPA Charitable Foundation provides assistance with transport costs to and from hospital for families based in the South West in financial distress with profoundly ill children.

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WPA Charitable Foundation

With roots going back to the 1940s when the Western Provident Association was known as the Bristol Hospitals Fund, the WPA Charitable Foundation supports and assists families in the South West in financial distress with profoundly ill children. These children, more often than not, require specialised treatment far from home, and the Charity provides essential help with travel and accommodation costs.

Sadly, it is not possible to apply directly for assistance - the Charity relies upon a network, established over many years, of recognised Social Services Officers and healthcare professionals who make applications on behalf of families who need support.

If you would like to make a donation or need further information please contact us at info@wpacharitablefoundation.org

The Charity is registered with the Charity Commission: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/charity-commission

Here are some recent, real examples that demonstrate the help and support that we provide (names have been changed to preserve anonymity):

Henry – aged 15 (2021)

Henry, from Cornwall, was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma and admitted to the Bristol Children’s Hospital for intensive chemotherapy. His mother, single with minimal income, relied on other family members to look after his siblings and the Charity was able to support her travel and accommodation costs.

Julia – aged 3 (2021)

Julia was diagnosed with a brain tumour last July, had an operation to remove it which left her unable to walk, swallow or speak. Sadly, the tumour has spread and she has stayed in Bristol for neuro-rehabilitation to help her regain mobility and speech with slow progress. Her father has not been able to work since the diagnosis and both parents are sharing the visits and home schooling of their two other children.

Sarah – aged 16 (2021)

Sarah started treatment for Lymphoblastic Lymphoma two years ago and has spent much of her recovery time in hospital. The family have a low income and her mother has been unable to work during COVID, they have struggled with travel costs and the Charity has been pleased to support them several times over the two years.

Kev - aged 3 (2021)

Kev has suffered frequent and recurrent seizures requiring gastrostomy feeding and intermittent admissions to hospital with respiratory infections. The prognosis is bleak and the family have struggled to balance Kev’s treatment with family and work commitments all compounded by COVID.

Zac – aged 15 (2020)

Zac has cancer in several parts of his body and is currently undergoing 3 months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in Bristol. His mother has been made redundant, COVID-19 has closed his father’s business for the foreseeable future and they are being supported by their family. The Charity has been able to help with hospital travel costs, giving the family a small relief in challenging times.

Mary – aged 5 (2020)

Mary choked on a grape, could not breathe and was not expected to survive. After over a year of neuro-rehabilitation she is unable to move or walk, has epilepsy and is tube fed. With 4 siblings, Mary’s father has left home and she is looked after by her mother. The Charity was pleased to help with the extensive travel costs to and from hospital.

Charlie – aged 15 (2020) 

Charlie was left with severe brain damage following surgery to remove a benign brain tumour and is receiving ongoing intensive neuro-rehabilitation. His mother stays with him at the hospital during the week, whilst his father is at home with his sister. The Charity has supported the significant transport costs between their home in Cornwall and Bristol.

Mo – aged 2 (2020)

Mo had to stay in hospital for 6 weeks after being born and was readmitted 5 weeks later for several open-heart operations. With his mother on maternity leave and self-employed father unable to work, the Charity was able to help.

WPA Benevolent Foundation

The Trustees of the WPA Benevolent Foundation direct the work of the Foundation. Projects have included musical instruments, trampolines, trim trails, bicycles, outdoor table tennis, cycle shelters, basketball and rugby equipment, exercise mats to edible playgrounds (vegetable patches) – the list is endless with all as inspiring as each other.

More locally to our UK Headquarters in Somerset, we are supporting Unlocking Potential Somerset, helping 14-15 year olds recognise their potential and make the most of future opportunities be it apprenticeships, further education and the stepping stones to a fulfilling career.

If you would like to be considered, please send a brief project description by e-mail, including a contact details, to charlie.macewan@wpafoundation.org

The Benevolent Foundation is the Corporate Trustee of the WPA Charitable Foundation.