Cards for Bravery is a charity dedicated to brightening the days of hospitalised and seriously ill children, individuals and their families. Founded in 2015 by Katie Callaghan at the age of 13 years old, she wanted to do something for the other patients on the ward she was admitted to at the time. After being given a card from her best friend that brightened her day, this sparked the idea in Katie to create handmade cards for other patients. Beginning through the distribution to one hospital, Cards for Bravery has since grown. working with over 25 hospitals and individuals and families all across the United Kingdom through a range of services. The charity has expanded over the years and is maintained by a group of volunteers who are mostly young people that are chronically ill themselves—relating to the charity's aims and ethos.
At Cards for Bravery we provide a range of services to hospitalised and seriously ill children, individuals and their families.
These individuals tend to be admitted to UK Hospitals, hospices or CAMHS Units. We also provide support to children and families who are being cared for at home.
Our main activities are:
We distribute positive handmade cards to over 25 hospitals around the UK, as well as children and young people who are being cared for at home. These cards are a simple reminder that someone is thinking of them during tough times. We have distributed over 20,000 handmade cards to date.
We provide Activity Packs to hospitals for children and young people who are admitted. These help keep children and young people distracted and entertained during hospital admissions.
We provide care packages full of gifts to seriously ill children who are nominated for a Bravery Package.
Along with this we provide other services to help brighten the days of hospitalised and seriously ill children and individuals. This includes: Christmas Gift Bags for children and their families spending the holidays in hospital, other holiday related activities, and more.
