LATCH Welsh Children's Cancer Charity

What LATCH Welsh Children's Cancer Charity does

LATCH Welsh Children's Cancer Charity is a registered UK charity (charity number 1100949) and Company Limited by Guarantee, founded in 1983 in Cardiff to support families affected by childhood cancer in Wales. It operates from inside the Children's Hospital for Wales in Cardiff, where it provides free on-site accommodation (eight family bedrooms one floor above the Rainbow Ward), four hospital-based social workers, and a suite of services including emotional support, benefits advocacy, a structured financial grants programme (Responsive, Compassionate, Practical and Hope Funds), bereavement support for up to 13 months after loss, family activities and holidays, and family-facing resources such as the 'Going Home' booklet. Latch also funds hospital equipment and clinical training for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, including photobiomodulation therapy equipment, pill-swallowing schools, and conference attendance for staff, and piloted funding for an early-phase clinical research nurse that helped the hospital join the Paediatric Experimental Cancer Medicines Centres Network in 2023.

The charity's core technology footprint is modest and operational rather than product-led: a content and donation website (latchwales.org) supporting one-off and recurring gifts, an event registration layer for challenge events, and social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn. No government funding is received; revenue is generated entirely from individual donations, community fundraising through local branches (such as the West Wales branch that has raised nearly £500,000 over 30 years), corporate partnerships (e.g., Jacob Crane Foundation from November 2024), the Latch Lottery, challenge events, legacies, and grants. In 2024, this model delivered a record £1.1M income year, supporting 150+ families and 500+ individuals, with 938 grants worth £303,100 disbursed and over 1,600 nights of free accommodation. The organisation rebranded in September 2025, redefining LATCH from its original acronym to a concept meaning 'holding on', 'being with you' and 'togetherness', and launched a new three-year strategy in January 2025. It is governed as a Company Limited by Guarantee with a Board of Trustees and operates with eight employees plus embedded volunteers.

Name

LATCH Welsh Children's Cancer Charity

Legal name

Latch Welsh Children's Cancer Charity

Website

https://latchwales.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

LATCH Welsh Children's Cancer Charity, founded in 1983 and based at the Children's Hospital for Wales in Cardiff, provides free accommodation, social work support, financial grants and bereavement services to families affected by childhood cancer across Wales, funded entirely by public donations and community fundraising.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Childhood Cancer Family Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Rare Disease & Special Needs Support Organizations (BPAGACAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Financial Assistance & Benefits Navigation Services (BPAGAEAK), Pediatric Hospice & Palliative Care (HLADAHAI)

Keywords

• Children's cancer support
• Family financial grants
• Hospital accommodation services
• Bereavement support services
• Community fundraising charity

Headquarters

HQ city

Cardiff

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Donations and Fundraising: Individual one-off and recurring donations, community fundraising events, challenge events, and merchandise sales. The charity organizes lottery programs and receives support from individuals and communities across Wales.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Business support through corporate partnerships and sponsorships. Companies like Seashells LTD Dolgellau and the Jacob Crane Foundation provide regular contributions.
3. Legacies and Grants: In 2024, thanks to legacies, grants, and community fundraising, Latch achieved its first £1.1 million income year in recent history.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Latch provides free, comprehensive support services to families affected by childhood cancer in Wales. Core offerings include on-site hospital accommodation above the Rainbow Ward at the Children's Hospital for Wales, dedicated social work support, a multi-fund financial grants programme, bereavement support, family events and activities, and annual holidays. All services are delivered free of charge to beneficiaries and funded entirely through public donations, legacies, and community fundraising.

Product overview

Latch is a charity providing a unified portfolio of support services for families affected by childhood cancer in Wales. The core offering comprises direct family support services including hospital accommodation above Rainbow Ward, emotional support through dedicated social workers, financial grants (Responsive, Compassionate, Practical, and Hope Funds), bereavement support, family activities/events, and annual holidays. The organization also funds hospital equipment and staff training, and operates fundraising initiatives including the Latch Lottery, challenge events, andtrekking events. All services are delivered from the Children's Hospital for Wales in Cardiff with no government funding, relying entirely on public donations and community fundraising.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hospital Accommodation Free family accommodation located one floor above the Rainbow Ward at the Children's Hospital for Wales in Cardiff, with eight bedrooms allowing parents and siblings to stay close to children during cancer treatment.
• Emotional Support Services Dedicated Latch social workers based in the Children's Hospital for Wales provide emotional support, represent families at multidisciplinary medical meetings, help families access benefits, and provide sensitive bereavement support.
• Financial Grants Programme Four named grant funds providing financial assistance to families: Responsive Fund (financial impact), Compassionate Fund (emotional/mental wellbeing), Practical Fund (treatment access/travel), and Hope Fund (memory-making opportunities).
• Bereavement Support Sensitive bereavement support provided to bereaved families for up to 13 months after the loss of a child, delivered by Latch's hospital-based social work team.
• Family Events and Activities Hospital and community activities for children with cancer and their families, including music therapy, therapy dog visits, surfing days, pizza making, family days out, and summer and winter parties.
• Latch Holidays Annual holidays for families affected by childhood cancer to create lasting positive memories during and after treatment.
• Family Resources Professionally developed resources for children, young people, and families affected by cancer, including the Going Home booklet and other information materials.
• Hospital Equipment and Training Grants Funding provided to Cardiff and Vale University Health Board for specialist equipment (including photobiomodulation therapy equipment), professional development, and training opportunities for hospital staff.
• Latch Lottery A lottery programme that allows supporters to contribute regularly while having a chance to win prizes, with proceeds supporting families affected by childhood cancer.
• Challenge Events Fundraising challenge events including marathons, skydives, treks, fun runs, and swims through which supporters raise money for Latch.

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jacob Crane FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Meaningful partnership started in November 2024 with the Jacob Crane Foundation committing to regular contributions directly supporting financial grants for families across Wales whose children are undergoing cancer treatment. The Foundation was established in memory of 17-year-old Jacob Crane who passed away from acute myeloid leukemia in May 2024. The partnership strengthens Latch's financial support and honors Jacob's memory.
• Wales Cancer AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Latch is a member of the Wales Cancer Alliance (WCA), a coalition of charities working to prevent cancer, improve care, fund research, and influence policy in Wales. Latch is a founder member of the WCA's Children and Young People Subgroup established in 2024 to focus on the unique needs of children and young people with cancer.
• Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (CAVUHB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with CAVUHB, the principal treatment centre and home of the Paediatric Oncology and Haematology Unit at the Children's Hospital for Wales. Latch works hand-in-hand with doctors, nurses, and ward staff. Latch funds hospital projects, specialist equipment, professional training, and provides on-site accommodation and social workers.
• Joseph's Smile / Kids Get Cancer Too CampaignminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLatch supported the Kids Get Cancer Too campaign for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2025, a united campaign led by Joseph's Smile to unite charities, businesses, families, and the public in raising awareness of childhood cancer.
• EverTrekminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAdventure trekking specialist partnered with Latch to deliver challenge events including Gower Coastal Path Walk and Snowdon Sunrise Hike during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. EverTrek provides expert guidance and logistical support for the trekking events.
• CCLG: The Children & Young People's Cancer AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Wales Cancer Alliance Children and Young People Subgroup. Latch works with CCLG and other charities to advocate for children and young people with cancer in Wales.
• Young Lives vs CancerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Wales Cancer Alliance Children and Young People Subgroup. Joint advocacy work including signing open letter to Welsh Government First Minister calling for prioritization of children with cancer.
• Teenage Cancer TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Wales Cancer Alliance Children and Young People Subgroup working collaboratively on policy issues related to childhood cancer in Wales.
• The Joshua TreeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Wales Cancer Alliance Children and Young People Subgroup advocating for children and young people with cancer in Wales.
• MOVE Against Cancer CharityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Wales Cancer Alliance Children and Young People Subgroup working together on advocacy for childhood cancer support in Wales.
• Howell's School LlandaffminorOthersSchool that has generously hosted Latch events including the Family Fun Day for 40th anniversary and the 40th Tribute Dinner in November 2023.
• Seashells LTD DolgellauminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal Welsh business that took on the 'Miles in May' challenge, walking a combined 2,000 miles over May and raising more than £4,300 for Latch.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Cancer Research UK: Largest UK cancer charity, funding research across all cancer types including pediatric. Operates broadly with overlapping policy and funding concerns but not specializing in family support for Welsh children.
• Macmillan Cancer Support: Major UK cancer charity providing financial, emotional, and practical support to people with cancer. Partially overlapping remit on family support and financials but operates at much larger scale and across all ages.

Direct peers

• Young Lives vs Cancer: UK-wide charity (formerly CLIC Sargent) supporting children and young people with cancer and their families, providing social workers, financial grants, and accommodation. WCA Children & Young People Subgroup co-member with Latch; the most direct national-scale peer.
• Children with Cancer UK: Major UK charity funding research into childhood cancer and supporting affected families. Comparable in mission (children's cancer support) but operates at national scale with greater research orientation than Latch.
• MOVE Against Cancer Charity: UK charity supporting young people with cancer through movement and exercise programs. WCA subgroup co-member with Latch; comparable age demographic and policy alignment.
• Teenage Cancer Trust: UK charity providing specialist hospital units and support for teenagers and young adults with cancer. Co-member of WCA Children & Young People Subgroup; comparable beneficiary profile and hospital-embedded service model.
• Joseph's Smile: UK children's cancer charity focused on awareness and family support; led the 'Kids Get Cancer Too' campaign that Latch supported in 2025. Comparable beneficiary focus and policy advocacy remit.
• The Joshua Tree: UK charity supporting families affected by childhood cancer, particularly in the North West of England. WCA subgroup co-member with Latch; serves a similar beneficiary profile with bespoke family support services.
• CCLG: The Children & Young People's Cancer Association: Expert hub for children's cancer clinicians and researchers; WCA subgroup co-member with Latch. Comparable in focus on pediatric cancer in the UK and overlapping advocacy remit.

Regional players

• Alice Charity: Welsh-focused charity supporting families experiencing hardship in North Wales. Comparable regional Welsh focus and community-led fundraising model, though not cancer-specific.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/latchwales
• Instagraminstagram.com/latchwales
• Xtwitter.com/LatchWales
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/latch-welsh-children's-cancer-charity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 LATCH Welsh Children's Cancer Charity