30 years of supporting families
Since 1992 we’ve been there for families dealing with the devastating emotional toll and financial impact of childhood cancer. Find out about our humble beginnings, the impact we have made and what our plans are for the future on the timeline below.
1992 - The very beginning
A Letter from Vincent Fitzmaurice, Founder and CEO:
“My wife Pamela was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 1992 while she was pregnant with our third child. Around the same time, a child known to our church community was also diagnosed with a brain tumour.
From the moment of diagnosis, we were sent to see a consultant, given devastating news, and then sent on our way. There was very little support for us as a family. No one to explain what was happening in simple terms, no guidance on what lay ahead, and no help with the financial pressures that quickly followed. We felt frightened, overwhelmed, and very alone and i know our friend whose child had cancer felt the same.
Because of this, in 1992, while Pamela was still alive, I founded Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund. Four years later, Pamela passed away and so did our friends son a couple of years later. I wanted our three children to grow up knowing who their mum was, her love, her kindness, and her care for others, and to see that her legacy was still making a difference to families facing the same fears we once faced.
I grew up in East London with a strong sense of family and community, and I have always believed in helping others, especially children. I worked for Barnado’s which deepened my understanding of the challenges families face, and West Ham Parish Church played an important part in my life. It was there that Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund began.
The name Lennox comes from Geoffrey Lennox, the church warden who was also a father figure to me and a hugely important person in my life. He shared my belief that children facing cancer deserve care, dignity, and support. Naming the charity after him felt right.
Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund exists to support children with cancer and their families, to offer understanding, explanation, and practical help at a time when it is needed most, because I know how isolating and overwhelming that journey can be.”
Vincent Fitzmaurice, CEO Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund
1993 - London hospital partnership
We sponsored a three-year contract for a specialist Oncology Nurse to work at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Hackney. We also funded the purchase of state of the art equipment for the hospital.
1994 - Festival of Events
Lennox’s work was celebrated with a Festival of Events, which included a fantastic concert at The Royal Albert Hall, skydiving by the British Army’s Parachuting Team, the Red Devils and an appearance by TV personality, Christopher Biggins!
1996 - Financial grants begin
Our Welfare Grants Programme (now called Care and Crisis Grants) were introduced to provide direct support to families affected by the financial impact of having a child with cancer. Frequently such grants are used to cover the costs of families getting to hospitals and hospices, that offer the crucial care their child desperately needs but they also often pay for household bills and appliances.
1998 - Respite Breaks launched
This service was created for families to spend quality time together during, or after, their child’s cancer treatment. Our luxury log cabin in the New Forest was where it all began and this invaluable facility is still owned by Lennox today.
2001 - Research funded
2005 - Fundraising success
2006 & 2007 - Respite Breaks expand
In 2006, Lennox took on a four-year contract for a new holiday home in the Lake District to expand our offering and help meet the demand for Respite Breaks.
In 2007, we also took on a three-year contract for a holiday home in Northumberland.
2007 - Shows begin
2012 - Our Christmas Gift Appeal was launched
2013 - Our Christmas Concerts and Treasure Boxes begin
Every year since 2013, we have held a Christmas Concert full of festive music to raise money and awareness for Lennox.
Our Treasure Boxes were also started this year to help bring a smile to our families’ faces during difficult times.
2014 - New Essex holiday home
We funded a four-year contract for a caravan at Coopers Beach Holiday Park on Mersea Island, Essex.
2015 - Introducing Emotional Support
We had always offered a sympathetic ear and shoulder to cry on for families in need; however, we formalised this service and introduced qualified experts.
2016 - Our lodge gets a face lift
After back to back visits from families in need for the past eight years, our New Forest-based Amberwood Lodge was fully refurbished for the first time, thanks to donations and fundraising from our supporters.
2017 - Keep fit and fundraise
We held the first of our Super Hero Fun Runs, which we now hold annually and our Zero 2 Hero partnership was formed, which to date has raised over £100k for Lennox through White Collar boxing training and events.
2019 - Two new retreats for Lennox
We formed a two-year partnership with a trust, who gave our families Respite Breaks in a Grade II listed 7-bed farmhouse in Suffolk.
We also purchased our Seabreeze Caravan in the New Forest, in the same holiday park as our lodge, which we are still using today.
2020 - COVID-19 survival
This period was difficult for many and Lennox saw unprecedented numbers of support requests. However, thanks to the support of donors, such as Sir Simon Robey, Korda and Ice Data, we were able to survive.
2021 - Backpacks launched
Our “We’ve Got Your Back” Packs were produced for children newly diagnosed with cancer to receive in hospital. The Essex Freemasons sponsored two year’s worth of packages for hospitals throughout Essex and London.
2021 - Lodge refurbished
Our Amberwood Lodge was completely refurbished thanks to a £15k donation from Graham Best, CEO of Rebound Returns.
2022 - Lennox turns 30
In 2022 we are going to be celebrating the wonderful achievement of Lennox turning 30 with a Masquerade Ball at the beautiful Boreham House in Essex.