Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity
Sponsoring specialist nurses for seriously ill children across the UK.
Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity is a UK-based charitable organization founded in 1991 by Felicity Dahl in memory of her husband, author Roald Dahl. It provides specialist support for seriously ill children across the country by sponsoring clinical nurse specialists who work within NHS Trusts, and also offers support services and financial grants to families.
Quick Facts
- Formation
- 26 September 1991
- Former name
- The Roald Dahl Foundation
- Founder
- Felicity Dahl
- Headquarters
- Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
- Leader
- Louise Griew
Facts from the source article.
Roald Dahl nurse specialists
The charity collaborates with the National Health Service to place specialist nurses, known as Roald Dahl nurses, within NHS trusts. Over 120 such clinical nurse specialists currently work across the country. These posts are jointly funded: the charity covers the first two years of employment, and the trust covers the remaining three years. The nurses specialise in areas including haematology, epilepsy, rare diseases, neuromuscular conditions, complex lifetime medical needs, and supporting transitions to adult healthcare. They help patients and families understand and manage health conditions, act as liaisons with other medical providers, and aim to improve well-being while reducing use of other medical resources. A 2020 evaluation partly funded by the charity described this as a 'new model of paediatric nursing' and found it improved both quality and experience of care.
History and patrons
The Roald Dahl Foundation was established in 1991 by Felicity Dahl, with support from illustrator Quentin Blake, initially focusing on children with neurological and haematological conditions and on literacy initiatives. It was renamed Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity in 2010 and broadened its work to children with complex medical conditions. Queen Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, became Royal Patron in 2017 and has involved the charity's children in Christmas events and International Nurses Day celebrations. Other patrons include actress Dame Joanna Lumley, television presenter Claudia Winkleman, and composer Tim Minchin.
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