clan cancer support

What clan cancer support does

Clan Cancer Support is a Scottish-registered charity (SC022606) founded in 1983 and headquartered in Aberdeen, operating across the north-east of Scotland with outreach to the Highlands and Islands. Its core function is psychosocial support for people affected by cancer — patients, family members, and bereaved relatives — delivered through emotional support and counselling, children and families services, complementary therapies, support groups, and a 27-room residential accommodation block for patients receiving treatment locally. In 2024-2025 the organisation supported more than 2,300 individuals across 9,750+ sessions, accepting both self-referrals and NHS-mediated referrals (NHS Scotland accounted for approximately 35% of incoming referrals). Volunteer drivers run a patient-transport service linking rural users to Aberdeen treatment centres.

The business model is that of a self-funded charity rather than a commercial enterprise. Income is generated through voluntary donations, community fundraising, gifts in wills, a £1-per-week Clan Lottery with a £25,000 jackpot, four charity shops, and a small but growing earned-income layer comprising accommodation (priced £60–£100 per night), corporate partnerships with energy and defence sector firms (BAE, Harbour Energy, CNR, Shell UK and others), and the recently introduced Clan@Work training product priced at £330+VAT per person. Operating costs are approximately £2.7M per annum.

From a technology and infrastructure standpoint, Clan runs on industry-standard third-party platforms — Stripe for payments, Shopify for retail point-of-sale, JustGiving for online donations, and Unity Lottery for the weekly draw — with no disclosed proprietary systems, AI/ML capability, or research output. The organisation is integrated into the statutory cancer pathway via the North Cancer Alliance and Scottish Cancer Coalition, and participates in NHS Scotland commissioning. Recent strategic direction, under CEO Fiona Fernie (appointed 2022) and Chair Katy Gifford, has emphasised earned-income diversification, geographic extension into Moray, Aberdeenshire and Shetland, and a corporate B2B training vertical.

Name

clan cancer support

Legal name

Clan Cancer Support

Website

https://clancancersupport.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Clan Cancer Support is an Aberdeen-based Scottish charity, founded 1983, delivering counselling, complementary therapies, family support and patient accommodation to cancer patients and their families across north-east Scotland, Highlands and Islands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations (BPAGACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)

Keywords

• Cancer support services
• Emotional counselling services
• Complementary therapy services
• Charity fundraising services
• Community health support

Headquarters

HQ city

Aberdeen

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Self-funded charity relying entirely on donations, fundraising activities, and community support to sustain free services. All donations directly support Clan's services and ensure they remain accessible to all.
2. Clan Lottery: Weekly lottery with £25,000 jackpot prize. Costs £1 per week per entry. 50% of revenue goes directly to Clan Cancer Support. Draws conducted every Friday with winners matched through a 6-digit number game.
3. Charity Shops: Four charity shop locations in Aberdeen, Ballater, Peterhead and Kirkwall, plus an online store. Revenue from retail sales of donated items and merchandise.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Businesses partner with Clan through charity partnerships, sponsorships, event support, and corporate volunteering. Includes payroll giving schemes and team challenges.
5. Gifts in Wills: Legacy giving programme where supporters leave gifts in their wills. Free will creation available through partner Brodies solicitors.
6. Accommodation Services: Fee-based accommodation service at Clan House Aberdeen. Single rooms £60/night, twin £90/night, family £100/night. Includes breakfast option at £5/person.
7. Cancer at Work Lead Training: Full-day in-person training course at £330 + VAT per person (£247.50 + VAT for charities). Training organisations to support employees impacted by cancer.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Clan Cancer Support is a registered Scottish charity providing free emotional, physical and practical support services for anyone affected by cancer across North-East Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. Its core offering comprises Emotional Support & Counselling, Children & Families Services, NHS-aligned Complementary Therapies, Support Groups, and accommodation at Clan House Aberdeen for patients travelling for treatment. Sustainability is delivered through a parallel portfolio of fundraising, charity retail, lottery, corporate partnerships, and paid Cancer at Work Lead Training (Clan@Work).

Product overview

Clan Cancer Support is a non-medical cancer support charity operating a network of wellbeing centres across North-East Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. The organisation offers a coordinated portfolio of free emotional and physical support services centred around five core service pillars: Emotional Support & Counselling (including Listening & Support, counselling, and Cognitive Hypnotherapy), Children & Families Services, Complementary Therapies, Accommodation, and Support Groups. These core services are complemented by support operations including the Clan@Work training programme, an online donation platform, Clan Lottery, charity shops, fundraising resources, corporate partnerships, YPI youth philanthropy, volunteering, and Gift in Wills planned giving. The organisation also provides patient transport services for those traveling to medical appointments. All services (except paid accommodation) are provided free of charge, sustained entirely by fundraising and donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Clan@Work: Cancer at Work Lead Training course - a full-day in-person training designed to equip organisations with knowledge, confidence and practical tools to support employees impacted by cancer.
• Clan Lottery

Products and services

• Emotional Support & Counselling Person-centred emotional support service for people affected by cancer, including Listening & Support, counselling, and Cognitive Hypnotherapy. Available in-person at wellbeing centres, by telephone, or digitally. Free of charge, with no appointment required for drop-in support.
• Children & Families Services Age-appropriate therapeutic support for young people aged 4–18 (up to 21 for care-experienced or additional support needs) affected by their own cancer diagnosis or that of a loved one. Includes school support, hospital support at Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, and complementary therapies for ages 12+. Free of charge.
• Complementary Therapies NHS-aligned complementary therapies including massage therapy, aromatherapy, reflexology and other treatments supporting physical and emotional wellbeing. Available to cancer patients and their loved ones. Free of charge.
• Clan@Work Cancer at Work Lead Training Full-day, in-person training course equipping organisations to support employees impacted by cancer. Covers the cancer landscape, listening skills, role limitations and self-care. Delivered at Clan House, Aberdeen. Cost £330 + VAT per person (£247.50 + VAT charity rate). Minimum 8 / maximum 12 participants.
• Clan Accommodation 27-bedroom accommodation at Clan House, Aberdeen for cancer patients undergoing treatment at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and their families, including complimentary transport to the hospital. Single rooms £60/night, twin £90/night, family £100/night; children under 5 stay free, aged 5–16 charged £10/night; breakfast £5/person.
• Support Groups Peer support groups including walking groups (Aberdeen, Mintlaw, Elgin, Shetland), Aberdeen Myeloma Group, Breast Reconstruction Support Group and Sarcoma Support Group. Provides a discreet, welcoming environment for sharing experiences.
• Patient Transport Service Free transport service for clients in Moray to medical appointments in Aberdeen, Elgin and Inverness, and a complimentary minibus service for Clan Accommodation guests to and from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Monday–Friday.
• Clan Charity Shops Retail charity shops in Rosemount (Aberdeen), Ballater, Peterhead and Kirkwall (Orkney), plus an online store selling donated items, Clan merchandise and Clan tartan products. Gift Aid available on donated goods.
• Clan Lottery Weekly lottery with a £25,000 jackpot prize. £1 per entry per week, weekly Friday draws, 6-digit number match game. 50% of revenue goes directly to Clan Cancer Support. Minimum e-voucher purchase of £10. Operated under licence via Sterling Management Centre Limited.
• Online Donation Platform Online donation system accepting one-off and monthly donations via Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay, with Gift Aid available for UK taxpayers to boost donations by 25%.
• Gift in Wills Planned giving programme allowing supporters to leave gifts in their wills to Clan Cancer Support. Partnership with Brodies Solicitors offers free will creation. Gifts are exempt from Inheritance Tax when charity number SC022606 is referenced.
• Corporate Partnerships CSR / ESG partnership programme including charity partnership nomination, team challenges, payroll giving, corporate ambassador roles, event sponsorship and venue hire at Clan House. Corporate Fundraising Officer: Lynn Dawson ([email protected]).

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,300+ people supported in 2024-2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting partner, key partner, core partner and operational partner.

• Joseph Robertsonsupporting partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerConstruction company partner supporting Clan's ongoing cancer support services through corporate partnership.
• Altrad Integrity Servicessupporting partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerIntegrity services company partnering with Clan as corporate partner for cancer support services.
• HSR Autossupporting partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerAuto services company supporting Clan through corporate partnership.
• Threaplands Garden Centresupporting partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business partner supporting Clan's cancer support services.
• P&J Livesupporting partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent venue partner supporting Clan through corporate partnership and hosting events.
• CNR Internationalsupporting partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational energy company corporate partner supporting Clan.
• Hellmannsupporting partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerLogistics company corporate partner supporting Clan's services.
• Johnstons of Elginkey partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner225+ year old Scottish cashmere manufacturer. Chosen charity partner, supporting through fundraising efforts. Hosted start of Clan Cavalcade 2026 textile tour.
• ICoTAsupporting partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry association corporate partner supporting Clan.
• Gordon and Macphailsupporting partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerWhisky company corporate partner supporting Clan's cancer support services.
• AISUSsupporting partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCompany partner supporting Clan through corporate partnership.
• Harbour Energysupporting partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerEnergy company corporate partner supporting Clan's services.
• BAE Systemssupporting partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerDefence company corporate partner supporting Clan Cancer Support.
• NHS Scotlandcore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner providing 35% of client referrals. Medical staff regularly refer patients to Clan for additional support. Clan's complementary therapies are NHS-aligned.
• North Cancer Alliancecore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member. Clan lobbies local and national government and NHS leads to inform and progress cancer care nationally.
• Scottish Cancer Coalitioncore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member working to progress cancer care nationally and ensure patient wellbeing is prioritised.
• Sterling Management Centre Limitedoperational partnerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExternal Lottery Manager licensed by Gambling Commission. Administers the Unity Lottery fundraising platform for Clan Cancer Support lottery operations.
• Brodies Solicitorssupporting partnerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTrusted partner offering free will creation service for Clan supporters through their wills questionnaire platform.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Macmillan Cancer Support: The largest UK cancer charity, providing emotional, financial, and practical support. Comparable to Clan because both deliver free cancer support services and rely heavily on donations and legacies, but Macmillan operates at national scale with paid professionals whereas Clan remains regionally focused.
• Cancer Research UK: The UK's largest cancer charity, focused on research funding but also providing patient information and support services. Competes with Clan for donor share and legacy gifts but operates at vastly greater scale and is mostly research-oriented.

Others

• Sue Ryder: UK charity operating hospices and providing palliative and bereavement support. Comparable to Clan in operating physical centres offering free support funded by donations/retail, but with a focus on palliative care and bereavement rather than active cancer treatment support.
• NHS Grampian: Public-sector healthcare provider and Clan's principal referral partner, providing 35% of client referrals. Not a competitor but rather the integrated-care partner whose funding decisions and oncology service capacity directly influence Clan's demand and growth.

Direct peers

• Cancer Support UK: Provides peer-support services, cancer-kits, and wellbeing programmes for people affected by cancer. Comparable to Clan as a free cancer-support charity reliant on donations, but operates primarily peer-led online and group programmes rather than region-based wellbeing centres.
• Maggie's (Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Caring Centres Trust): Operates a network of NHS-hospital-adjacent centres offering free emotional, psychological, and practical support to people affected by cancer. Most directly comparable to Clan in service model (free, non-medical, centre-based support near treatment hospitals), differentiated by Maggie's professional-architect-designed facilities and national footprint.
• Young Lives vs Cancer (formerly CLIC Sargent): UK charity supporting children and young people with cancer and their families. Comparable to Clan's Children & Families Services segment (ages 4–21), with similar accommodation-near-hospital offering and emotional support services, though Young Lives vs Cancer operates nationally.
• Marie Curie: Provides end-of-life and palliative care support via hospices, home nursing, and information services. Comparable to Clan in offering free non-medical support across a care continuum, though Marie Curie's focus is palliative care rather than broader cancer journeys.

Regional players

• Tenovus Cancer Care: Welsh cancer charity providing free support services, cancer information, and a mobile chemotherapy unit. Comparable to Clan as a regionally embedded cancer support charity funded by donations and charity shops, though Tenovus operates across Wales rather than Scotland.
• CLAN Cancer Support (Northern Ireland): Separate regional cancer support charity operating in Northern Ireland. Strong operational analogue to Clan Cancer Support in Scotland — both deliver free emotional/practical support via community centres, both reliant on donations/legacies, both partner with regional health bodies — but serves a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/clannow
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CLANCancerSupport
• Facebookfacebook.com/ClanCancerSupport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clancancersupport
• Instagraminstagram.com/clancancersupport

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 clan cancer support