Latch Wales
 | |
| Formation | 1983 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Dr Eileen Thompson |
| Founded at | University Hospital Llandough |
| Registration no. | 04735773 |
| Headquarters | Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales |
President | Meriel Jenney |
CEO | Menai-Owen Jones |
| Website | https://latchwales.org/ |
Latch Welsh Children's Cancer Charity, more commonly known Latch is a cancer charity based in Cardiff, Wales, that provides emotional and financial support for children with cancer.[1] They are based at the Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales in Cardiff, where they have rooms which families of children with cancer can stay in if they are far from home. Any under 18 being treated for cancer or leukaemia at the Children's Hospital for Wales is eligible for their services.[2][3][4]
They also cover extra expenses such as travel costs, and provide families with social workers to help them receive benefits they're entitled to, as well as organising activities for patients, and they also fund medical resources for cancer patients.[5]
History
[edit]University Hospital Llandough
[edit]Latch Wales was founded in 1983 by a group of families who had children with cancer, as well as oncologist Dr Eileen Thompson. They were originally based in University Hospital Llandough, hence the acronym LATCH meaning "Llandough Aims to Treat Children with Cancer and Leukaemia with Hope." They were responsible for the funding of building the hospital's oncology ward its first CT scanner, a bone marrow transplant room, and community nurses.[6]
Noah's Ark Children's Hospital
[edit]Latch moved to Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales in 2004, and raised money to build free accommodation there, providing eight bedrooms, a communal living room, and kitchen for families.[7] Latch were one of three charities to receive £20,600 from a golf tournament held at The Belfry.[8] They were Swansea City's featured charity for their 26 October 2019 match against Cardiff City.[9] Latch spent £1,200,000 to renovate the Rainbow Ward (oncology ward)[10] at Noah's Ark Children's Hospital. The change brought individual rooms to the ward, a playroom for the younger patients and more connected staff areas to provide easier communication for nurses and doctors.[6] In March 2026, Latch announced a partnership with Bluestone National Park Resort in Pembrokeshire, providing holidays for Latch families.[11]
Rebrand
[edit]
In 2025, Latch announced they would be changing their name from LATCH to Latch, as the acronym no longer applied since they were operating at a different hospital. However, they decided to keep the same base name, explaining "we found that the meaning of the word 'Latch' had resonance with (the phrases) 'holding on', 'being with you' and 'togetherness' which very much reflected the essence of the charity today." Their re-brand also added their tagline, which reads 'Here for childhood cancer in Wales', and which is bilingual, also having a Welsh tagline.[6]
Fundraising
[edit]A mother raised over £40,000 for the charity in 2022, as well as Ronald McDonald House, in memory of her son who died of liver cancer.[12] After the boy, named Morgan, died, they set up a cancer charity similar to Latch called Morgan's Army.[13][14] In October 2022, Holly Proudstreet raised £600 for Latch, as her brother was diagnosed with leukaemia and lymphoma.[15] In 2023, Latch marked their 40-year anniversary with a "40k for 40 years" campaign, in which they encouraged donors to meet a target of £40,000 raised.[16] In October 2023, a group of jockeys at Chepstow Racecourse combined to raise £15,000 for the charity, after horse trainer Christian William's daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia.[17] Ysgol Penglais School was involved in two notable fundraisers for Latch in the summer of 2026, the first when the school organised a 10k run to raise £10,000 for the charity (alongside Teenage Cancer Trust),[18] and the second occurring when a student at the school shaved his head to raise money for the charity in solidarity with his friend with Wilms' tumour.[19]
Services
[edit]Accommodation
[edit]As the oncology ward at the Children's Hospital for Wales is the only pediatric oncology ward in Wales,[20] many families are too far away from their homes, and will need a place to stay whilst their child is hospitalised. This is why Latch provide free accommodation, with eight bedrooms, which have televisions, desks and bathrooms. Their accommodation also consists of a communal lounge, kitchen and utility room. The accommodation was upgraded in 2024.[21]
Financial support
[edit]Latch issue financial grants to families to cover the extra costs of raising a child with cancer, such as travel expenses and parking costs. Latch will issue immediate financial grants to families in exceptional circumstances. They will also cover the costs of celebrations, be it birthdays or religious events, for affected families.[22] They give a new IPad to every child that starts their cancer treatment, helping patients stay up date with schoolwork and social happenings.[23]
Bereavement counselling
[edit]Latch offer bereavement support for families with terminally ill children, and children who have died, for 13-months after their death. They also offer a remembrance walk for parents of deceased children.[24]
Free of charge holidays
[edit]Since March 2026, Latch have offered families the opportunity to stay at Bluestone National Park in Pemberokeshire.[11] They previously provided caravans for families, located in Porthcawl and Tenby.[25]
Administrative
[edit]Latch Wales was registered as a charity in the United Kingdom on 28 November 2003. Their annual income is £1,176,866, primarily consisting of donations made through their website.[26][27]
Patrons
[edit]- Jonathan Davies - Welsh rugby union player[28][29]
- Sian Howell - Former charity trustee[28]
- Edward Watts - Deputy lieutenant of Gwent[28]
- Owain Wyn Evans - Welsh television and radio presenter[28][30]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "LATCH". NHS 111 Wales. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- ↑ Breyer, Joanna (18 February 2021). When Your Child Is Sick: A Guide to Navigating the Practical and Emotional Challenges of Caring for a Child Who is Very Ill. John Murray Press. ISBN 978-1-5293-4030-3.
- ↑ "Latch Welsh Children's Cancer Charity - Cancer Care Map". 8 February 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- ↑ "Latch | Privacy policy". Latch. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ "Latch | Home". Latch. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Latch | The story of Latch, Welsh Children's Cancer Charity". Latch. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- ↑ "Celebrating 40 years of care in Wales". Contact Magazine. The Children & Young People's Cancer Association. 5 February 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
- ↑ "Astonishing £103,000 raised for charity from Valero golf tournament". Western Telegraph. 18 August 2015. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ "Charity Focus | LATCH Wales | Swansea". www.swanseacity.com. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- ↑ "About Us". Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- 1 2 Hospitality, Tourism & (23 March 2026). "Bluestone Partners with Latch to Expand CSR Commitment in Wales". Business News Wales. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ "Mum raises £40,000 for charity after son, 3, diagnosed with rare cancer". ITV News. 26 September 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- ↑ "About Morgan's Army | Our Story & Mission". Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- ↑ "Cancer: Swansea family struggle with cost of son's treatment". BBC News. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ Wales, University of South. "Holly Proudstreet". University of South Wales. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- ↑ "It's Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and LATCH Welsh Children's Cancer Charity is marking its 40th anniversary". Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- ↑ "Welsh Jockeys Unite To Show Support For Christian Williams". www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ "Penglais aims to raise £10,000 for cancer charities". Cambrian News. 9 July 2026. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- ↑ "Aberystwyth 14-year-old takes the chop for fellow classmate with kidney cancer". Cambrian News. 29 July 2026. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- ↑ Oldham, Richenda (25 November 2024). "Children's cancer centres in the UK". Cancer Support UK. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
- ↑ "Latch | Hospital accommodation". Latch. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
- ↑ "Latch | Financial support". Latch. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
- ↑ "Latch | Family events and activities". Latch. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
- ↑ "Latch | Here for bereavement support". Latch. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
- ↑ "Latch | Free holidays for Latch families at Bluestone". Latch. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
- ↑ "LATCH WELSH CHILDREN'S CANCER CHARITY - Charity 1100949". prd-ds-register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
- ↑ "LATCH WELSH CHILDREN'S CANCER CHARITY overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Latch | Our people". Latch. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- ↑ Profit, Gov / Not for (15 October 2025). "Former Wales and Lions Rugby Player Becomes Patron of Children's Cancer Charity in Wales". Business News Wales. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ Stubbs, Molly (4 May 2026). "Welsh broadcaster takes on new role with children's cancer charity". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 7 September 2026.