Colchester Children's Charity Appeal

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £81,000 (most recent reported year)
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified - determined case by case
• Income: £76,279 (financial year ending April 2024)
• Expenditure: £90,715 (financial year ending April 2024)
• Geographic Focus: Colchester and Tendring areas (CO postcode)
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Trustees: 2
• Volunteers: 14

Contact Details

Address: 11 Churchill Way, Colchester CO2 8ST

Phone:

• Roy Kemp: 01206 860384
• Val Thompson: 01206 509763

Charity Shops: 195 Old Heath Road, Colchester CO2 8AY (Phone: 07766 666026)

Website: No website listed on Charity Commission register

Charity Number: 800485

Overview

The Colchester Children's Charity Appeal was established as a grant-giving body for the relief of sickness and disability for children in the Colchester area. This volunteer-led organization has been operating for several decades, providing essential financial support to children suffering from sickness, disability, or terminal illness. The charity is entirely funded through two charity shops on Old Heath Road in Colchester, generating impressive annual giving that has grown from £65,000 to £81,000 in recent years. With just 2 trustees and 14 dedicated volunteers, the charity exemplifies local community support at its best. No trustees receive any remuneration, ensuring all funds raised go directly to supporting children in need. The charity focuses primarily on the Colchester and Tendring areas, specifically serving families within the CO postcode region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Direct Grant Program - Amount varies by need

• Equipment purchases for children with disabilities
• Sensory assessments for children with autism
• Counselling services
• Respite breaks for families
• Mobility aids
• Rent deposits for families in crisis
• Zoo passes and recreational activities

Application Method: Direct contact with trustees via telephone

Priority Areas

The charity prioritizes support for:

• Children with special needs and disabilities
• Children suffering from terminal illness
• Children requiring specialist equipment or assessments
• Families in the Colchester and Tendring areas (CO postcode)
• Sensory assessments for autism (primary focus area)
• Respite and wellbeing support for affected families

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the charity's remit is limited to:

• Children only (not adults)
• Colchester and Tendring areas specifically
• Health, disability, and illness-related needs

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Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Roy Kemp (Trustee and Contact for Grant Applications)

• Contact: 01206 860384
• Quote: "We are really over the moon, we have got two local shops and that's where we get our money from."

Val Thompson (Contact for Volunteers and Donations)

• Contact: 01206 509763
• Handles volunteer coordination and furniture donations

Governance Structure

• 2 trustees (names not publicly listed beyond Roy Kemp)
• 14 volunteers supporting the charity shops
• No paid employees
• No trading subsidiaries
• All trustees serve without remuneration

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Contact Roy Kemp directly at 01206 860384 to apply for a grant. This is a small, locally-focused charity without formal application forms or an online portal. Applications are handled on a case-by-case basis through direct conversation with the trustees.

The charity does not have a website or formal application documentation, reflecting its grassroots, community-based approach.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified. As a small charity with direct trustee involvement, decisions are likely made relatively quickly once contact is established and needs are assessed.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. However, the charity distributed £81,000 in grants in their most recent reported year, an increase from £65,000 the previous year, indicating strong grant-making activity relative to their size.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented. Given the charity's informal, case-by-case approach, it is likely that families can reapply as needs arise.

Application Success Factors

Understanding Their Focus

The charity primarily subsidizes sensory assessments for children with autism, indicating this is a core priority area. If applying for an autism-related assessment or equipment need, you are likely well-aligned with their mission.

Geographic Requirements

You must be located in the Colchester and Tendring areas (CO postcode). This is a strict geographic limitation for this locally-focused charity.

Direct Communication Approach

This charity values direct, personal communication. Be prepared to speak with Roy Kemp or other trustees by phone rather than submitting written applications. Being able to clearly articulate your child's needs and how a grant would help is essential.

Demonstrated Need

The charity supports families who genuinely cannot afford essential equipment, assessments, or support services. Being able to demonstrate financial need and explain how the grant would make a meaningful difference to your child's quality of life is important.

Types of Support Most Funded

Based on their stated priorities and recent activity, grants for the following are most likely to succeed:

• Sensory assessments (particularly autism-related)
• Mobility aids and specialist equipment
• Counselling services
• Respite breaks

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Direct contact is key: Call Roy Kemp at 01206 860384 - there is no formal application process or website
• Geographic focus is strict: You must be in the Colchester/Tendring (CO postcode) area
• Autism support is a priority: Sensory assessments for children with autism appear to be the primary focus
• Small but responsive: With only 2 trustees, this is a nimble charity that can likely make decisions quickly
• Growing capacity: Annual giving has increased from £65,000 to £81,000, showing expanding ability to help
• Community-funded: All grants come from their two charity shops - they rely on local community support
• No formal barriers: No complex application forms or processes - just genuine need and a phone call

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• John Horniman's Children's Trust
• The Geoffrey Watling Charity
• Eastern Counties Educational Trust Limited
• The Eight Foundation
• Yorkshire Children's Charity
• Chris Westwood Charity for Children with Physical Disabilities
• The Albert Van Den Bergh Charitable Trust
• RJ AND AH DANIELS CHARITABLE TRUST
• Michael Crawford Children's Charity
• MRS L D ROPE'S THIRD CHARITABLE SETTLEMENT

References

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales - Charity Overview for COLCHESTER CHILDREN'S CHARITY APPEAL (800485). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=800485&subid=0 []

1. Gazette News (2018). "Colchester Children's Charity celebrates handing out £81,000 to youngsters." Available at: https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/16236039.colchester-childrens-charity-celebrates-handing-81-000-youngsters/ []

1. SNAP Charity - Colchester Children's Charity Profile. Available at: https://www.snapcharity.org/business-directory/10895/colchester-childrens-charity/ []

1. TotalGiving - Colchester Children's Charity Appeal. Available at: https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/colchester-childrens-charity-appeal []