Exeter Leukaemia Fund

What Exeter Leukaemia Fund does

Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF) is a UK registered charity (CIO, charity number 1154727) founded in 1980 by Dr Miles Joyner and registered in 1987, providing integrated patient and family support services to people affected by blood cancer and blood disorders attending the Haematology Centre at the Royal Devon and Exeter (RD&E) Hospital in Devon, South West England. The charity delivers a wraparound service stack covering patient transport (a three-vehicle fleet covering 51,142 miles in 2024), counselling (120 referrals in 2024 via a bank of qualified counsellors), accommodation near the hospital (28 rooms used in 2024), financial grants of £250 or £500 per application, complementary aromatherapy, a Filling Time refreshment kiosk (6,587 drinks served in 2024), one-to-one financial guidance through Citizens Advice, and a free will-writing service via Dunn and Baker Solicitors. ELF also funds hospital equipment (e.g., a £20,000 ultrasound machine for Yarty Ward in 2022) and runs an ELF Fellowships programme for haematology staff continuing professional development, with seven fellowships awarded by 2024.

ELF operates exclusively in the donation-and-fundraising revenue model: all income derives from voluntary gifts by individuals, local businesses, community organisations, and charitable trusts, supplemented by Gift Aid (a 25% HMRC reclaim on eligible UK taxpayer donations) and gifts in Wills, which account for approximately 25% of total income. In 2024, ELF raised £477,870 in funds. The go-to-market is community-led, relying on a small employed team (1-10 staff including Head of Charity Operations, Head of Patient Services, Development Manager, hospital support drivers, patient liaison, and lead administrator) supported by 108 volunteers, an annual events calendar (Summer Tea Party, Exeter 5k Inflatable Obstacle Course, South West Coast 50 Ultra Challenge, Santa Run, corporate World Cup Sweepstake), JustGiving online donations, and CSR partnerships with local businesses (e.g., JMC Group sponsoring the transport fleet).

The charity underwent a restructuring in February 2021 in response to a 30-40% COVID-driven funding shortfall, with leadership transitions continuing into 2026 (new Head of Patient Services Gen Ottaway appointed January 2026; CEO Molly Southwood farewelled February 2026). There is no proprietary technology, no public-facing API, and no AI/ML components; all services are human-delivered within the hospital and surrounding community. Geographic scope is confined to Devon and the wider South West England catchment of the RD&E Haematology Centre.

Name

Exeter Leukaemia Fund

Legal name

Exeter Leukaemia Fund CIO

Website

https://elfcharity.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Exeter Leukaemia Fund is a UK charity providing integrated transport, counselling, financial grants, accommodation, and complementary therapy support to blood cancer patients and families at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital Haematology Centre across Devon and South West England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable blood cancer patient support services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hospitals, Clinics & Charitable Healthcare Providers (BPAGACAB), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

Keywords

• Blood cancer support
• Patient transport services
• Charitable patient care
• Cancer counselling services
• Community fundraising charity

Headquarters

HQ city

Exeter

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: ELF is entirely funded by voluntary gifts from individuals, local businesses, community organisations and charitable trusts. Revenue comes from one-off donations, regular giving via direct debit, corporate donations, community event fundraising, and gifts in Wills which account for approximately 25% of total income.
2. Gift Aid: UK taxpayer donations can be increased by 25% through the Gift Aid scheme, where HMRC reclaims basic rate tax on donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Exeter Leukaemia Fund is a registered UK charity providing direct, free support services to blood cancer and blood disorder patients and their families in Devon, primarily those attending the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital Haematology Centre. Core services include patient transport, professional counselling, financial support grants (£250-£500), hospital-adjacent accommodation, complementary therapies (aromatherapy), financial and benefits advice, free will writing, NHS staff fellowships, medical equipment funding, and a hospital-based refreshment kiosk.

Product overview

Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF) is a charity offering a comprehensive suite of patient and family support services for individuals affected by blood cancer in Devon. The organization provides integrated support through multiple service channels including transport assistance, counselling, financial grants, accommodation, complementary therapies, financial advice, and professional development (Fellowships) for NHS staff. These services are delivered in partnership with the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital's Haematology Centre and operate as a unified support ecosystem designed to lighten the load for patients from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Patient Transport Service A fleet of three vehicles providing free transport for haematology patients and their family members to and from appointments at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, covering patients from across Devon. The service covered 51,142 miles in 2024.
• Counselling Services Up to six one-hour sessions with qualified counsellors for patients and family members, supporting them through diagnosis, treatment, and bereavement. Delivered via a bank of independent counsellors including support for children and young people. 120 referrals were made in 2024.
• Patient Support Grants Fixed financial grants of £250 or £500 available to patients under the care of a haematologist at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital to assist with costs arising from their diagnosis. Decisions are made within two weeks and only one award per household is permitted in any 12-month period.
• Accommodation Service Hotel rooms provided near the hospital for patients receiving treatment and for family members who need to be close to their loved ones during care. 28 accommodation rooms were used in 2024.
• Aromatherapy and Complementary Therapies A complementary aromatherapy and massage therapist visits Yarty Ward twice weekly to provide relaxation for patients undergoing long-term treatment.
• Financial Advice and Guidance One-to-one confidential advice and fast-track support for patients and families, delivered in partnership with Citizens Advice. Covers entitlements, work, money, housing, tax, and healthcare matters. Appointments are delivered at the Haematology Centre by designated representative Peter Mitchell.
• Free Will Writing Service Partnership with Dunn and Baker Solicitors providing free will writing or will review services for ELF patients, family members, volunteers, and supporters.
• ELF Fellowships Programme Fellowships awarded to haematology staff to complete further study, attend conferences, or pursue continuing professional development to improve patient outcomes. Seven Fellowships have been awarded to date.
• Filling Time Kiosk A refreshment kiosk located in the Yarty Ward waiting room, operated by ELF staff and volunteers, serving drinks to patients and family members from 10am-3pm Monday to Friday. 6,587 drinks were served in 2024.
• Equipment Funding Funding for vital medical equipment for Yarty Ward, including ultrasound machines for cannula insertion (e.g., £20,000 in 2022), televisions, fridges for isolation rooms, and fitness equipment for patient rehabilitation.
• Support Groups ELF facilitates patient support groups and family support groups where patients and carers can share experiences and connect with others affected by blood cancer.

Quantifiable outcome

• 51,142 miles travelled by drivers in 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• JMC GroupcoreOthersSponsors ELF's fleet of three vehicles used for patient transport services. The transport service covers Devon, helping patients get to and from appointments at the RD&E Hospital Haematology Centre.
• Citizens AdvicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerELF partners with Citizens Advice to offer one-to-one confidential advice and fast-track support for patients and families, including information on entitlements and issues such as work, money, housing, tax and healthcare. Designated representative Peter Mitchell delivers appointments at the Haematology Centre.
• Dunn and Baker SolicitorscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership with Exeter solicitors offering free will writing and review service to ELF patients, family members, volunteers, and supporters.
• Princesshay Shopping CentreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExeter shopping centre partnership providing visibility in the heart of the city for Christmas fundraising activities, including Santa visits and Christmas light switching-on events.
• River City ChorusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal choir performing festive entertainments at ELF events including Christmas celebrations.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Young Lives vs Cancer (formerly CLIC Sargent): UK charity supporting children and young people with cancer (including blood cancers) and their families, offering financial grants and emotional support. Overlaps with ELF's paediatric leukaemia support use cases.
• Children with Cancer UK: UK charity funding research and supporting children with cancer (including leukaemia) and their families. Overlaps with ELF's paediatric blood cancer patient population and family-support services.
• Blood Cancer UK: The UK's primary national blood cancer charity (formerly Bloodwise), funding research and providing patient support for leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Directly comparable to ELF in disease focus but operates nationally at materially larger scale.
• Anthony Nolan: UK charity supporting people with blood cancer and disorders through stem cell transplantation, donor recruitment, and patient services. Comparable in disease focus and patient-support orientation to ELF.

Broad incumbents

• Cancer Research UK: Largest UK cancer charity focused on research with growing patient information services. Competes with ELF for donations and corporate partnerships in the cancer space.
• Macmillan Cancer Support: UK's largest cancer support charity offering financial guidance, information, and practical support to all cancer patients. Competes for the same donor pool as ELF across Devon/South West.
• Marie Curie: UK charity providing care and support for people with terminal illness including blood cancer, with hospice services and information. Competes for legacy and Wills giving in ELF's donor pool.

Regional players

• Tenovus Cancer Care: Wales-based cancer charity providing support, information, and mobile chemotherapy services. Comparable in regional-charity model and patient-support services to ELF but operates in Wales.
• Leukaemia Foundation (Australia): Australian national charity supporting people living with blood cancer through accommodation, transport, and counselling. Closely comparable service model to ELF (transport, accommodation, emotional support) in a different geography.
• Leukaemia & Lymphoma Society: The largest US-based voluntary health organisation dedicated to blood cancer research, education, and patient services. Comparable in disease focus to ELF but operates in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/elfcharity
• Facebookfacebook.com/elfcharity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Exeter Leukaemia Fund