Our charity

Vikki and four other teenagers set up Post Pals thanks to a National Lottery grant via the Prince’s Trust. Many people believed the concept would never work. “What good is a card to a child with cancer?” they asked. Others questioned how someone who couldn’t even sit up could run a charity. We often heard, “No one will want to join or send cards to sick children.”

But Post Pals did take off, and people soon saw how much the children benefited from receiving mail and feeling cared about. We had hoped simply to bring smiles, but were amazed when parents told us their children’s self-esteem was growing because they felt they had “Post Pals friends” who truly cared about them. Parents also shared how witnessing such kindness boosted their own morale during incredibly difficult times.

Volunteers came and went, but Post Pals continued to grow and eventually became a registered charity — thanks in large part to Jan, our treasurer, whose incredible organisation and dedication helped make it possible. Sadly, Jan has since passed away, but her hard work helped propel Post Pals forward and created a lasting legacy.

Today, we do far more than send cards, letters, and small gifts. We organise days out, grant small wishes, provide emotional support, hold fully inclusive weekends away tailored to every child’s needs, and host parties and events. During Covid, we also held Zoom events to help children stay connected and reduce isolation.

Post Pals has grown enormously, but we are still run entirely from home by volunteers, many living with illness themselves. Every penny donated to Post Pals goes directly towards supporting the children and families we help, as we have no staff wages or office costs.

Please watch this short two-minute video to learn how Post Pals began and the huge difference it makes to the families we support. Vikki, founder of Post Pals, explains how the charity works, and former Pal Megan H also features alongside her family. The video was filmed in 2008 but we create the same smiles still today.