Rockinghorse Children's Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £689,000 (charitable activities expenditure 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed within 1 month; acknowledgement within 10 days
• Grant Range: Variable - from small items to £100,000+ major equipment
• Geographic Focus: Sussex (UK)

Contact Details

Address: 13 Prince Albert Street, Brighton, BN1 1HE

Website: www.rockinghorse.org.uk

General Enquiries: enquiries@rockinghorse.org.uk | 01273 330044

Funding Applications: fran@rockinghorse.org.uk

Finance: finance@rockinghorse.org.uk

Overview

Rockinghorse Children's Charity (registered charity 1018759) was established in 1967 by Dr Trevor Mann, who recognised the need for additional resources to improve healthcare services for sick children and babies. The charity serves as the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital in Brighton and provides vital support to NHS children's services across Sussex.

With over 50 years of impact, Rockinghorse funds cutting-edge medical equipment, ground-breaking research, vital additional staff, and therapeutic spaces that are over and above what the NHS can afford. In their latest financial year ending March 2024, the charity achieved total income of £1,025,248 and distributed £688,901 in charitable activities, delivering 76 projects and supporting more than 185,000 children directly. CEO Donna Holland notes: "We've raised more than a million pounds for children and young people across Sussex."

The charity's 2025-2030 strategy focuses on transformative impact through four pillars: Impact, Engagement, Profile, and Finance and Resources, with a vision of “a world where children are healthy and happy.”

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Rockinghorse operates a rolling application process through their online funding application form. Applications are reviewed within one month, with acknowledgement sent within 10 days of submission. Larger projects may require additional Board of Trustees review.

Grant Size: Variable - ranging from small items (toys, comfort items) to major capital equipment exceeding £100,000. Historical data suggests average project funding around £7,000-£8,750, though this varies significantly.

Priority Areas

Rockinghorse funds projects across six main categories:

1. Toys - To help pass time, distract from painful procedures, or aid diagnosis
2. Equipment - From large medical equipment to smaller items for everyday care
3. Spaces - Revamping or creating new therapeutic environments in hospitals and community settings
4. Research - Ground-breaking paediatric medicine research
5. Activities - Special events and programs to help children manage wellbeing
6. People - Specially trained additional staff to support patients, families, and NHS departments

Strategic Focus Areas (2025-2030):

• State-of-the-art treatments and life-saving equipment
• Critical mental health support
• Ground-breaking research
• Inspiring healthcare spaces
• Projects that save lives and help children “live well”

Priority Project Characteristics:

• Enhance hospital experience
• Support medical and technological advancements
• Empower children's resilience and confidence
• Reduce NHS costs
• Promote emotional and mental wellbeing
• Foster connection between children, staff, and families

Recent Funded Projects Include:

• £50,000 Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) machine for children's Emergency Department (2024)
• £100,000 Digital X-ray Machine for Trevor Mann Baby Unit
• Paediatric Virtual Fracture Clinic (launched 2019, serving 1,500+ patients annually)
• Defibrillators for The Connor Saunders Foundation (ongoing since 2016)
• Refurbished rooms within Oncology Day Care ward

Eligibility

Who Can Apply: Healthcare professionals working for NHS services, hospitals, respite centres, specialist services, specialist schools for children with learning disabilities, and community outreach teams providing specialist support to children and families in Sussex.

Geographic Limitation: Projects must benefit sick and disabled babies, children, and teenagers in Sussex.

Not for Direct Family Applications: Applications should come from professionals and organisations rather than families directly.

What They Don't Fund

While Rockinghorse does not publish a comprehensive exclusions list, their focus is clearly on:

• Projects within Sussex only (not outside the region)
• Healthcare and respite settings (not general education or non-healthcare services)
• Projects benefiting children's health and wellbeing (not adult services)

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The Board consists of ten trustees with diverse experience, passionate about supporting sick children and young people. Named trustees include:

• Dr Oli Rahman - Chair
• Penina Shepherd - Trustee
• Scott Marshall - Trustee
• Gavin Willis - Trustee
• Barry Carden - Trustee
• Dr Ryan Watkins - Trustee
• Andrew Mosley - Trustee

Senior Leadership

Donna Holland - Chief Executive Officer (appointed 2021)

• 20 years of charity sector experience
• Previously Deputy CEO at Concordia and Interim CEO at Maternity Worldwide
• Trustee of Grassroots (suicide prevention charity)
• Focused on charities supporting children and young people

Donna states: "I'm determined to ensure that every pound raised for Rockinghorse is spent on making the maximum impact for sick and disabled babies, children and teenagers across Sussex."

Chair of Trustees Phil Frier commends her “collaborative, kind and compassionate approach” and strategic vision.

Sarah Phillips - Operations Manager/Office Manager

• Contact: sarah@rockinghorse.org.uk
• Notes: “The projects we fund and deliver really do change lives. From big bits of medical equipment to a little teddy bear, every single one impacts on the care that babies, children and young people receive.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Project summary
• Evidence of project need
• Beneficiary details (who will benefit and how)
• Intended outcomes
• Measurement methods for success
• Project timeline
• Detailed cost breakdown

1. Submit the completed form via email to: fran@rockinghorse.org.uk

1. For questions or guidance, contact the team at enquiries@rockinghorse.org.uk or call 01273 330044

Decision Timeline

• Acknowledgement: Within 10 days of submission
• Standard Review: Applications reviewed within 1 month
• Larger Projects: May require additional Board of Trustees review (extended timeline)
• Notification Method: By email

Post-Award Requirements

Successful applicants must agree to:

• Launch potential media/fundraising appeals highlighting the project
• Provide case studies and photographs
• Complete monitoring forms at 6 months and project end
• Demonstrate project outcomes and impact

Success Rates

Rockinghorse does not publish application success rates or rejection statistics. Recent impact data shows 76 projects funded in their latest reporting year.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. Contact the team at fran@rockinghorse.org.uk to discuss reapplication timelines if your project is unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Core Values to Reflect

Rockinghorse's values should be evident in applications:

• We care - Demonstrate genuine care for children's wellbeing
• We're passionate - Show enthusiasm and commitment to improving children's lives
• We're honest - Be transparent about needs and realistic about outcomes
• We're supportive - Show how the project supports children, families, and NHS staff
• We're collaborative - Demonstrate partnership working with NHS services

What They Look For

Based on their funding objectives and recent projects, successful applications:

1. Address Clear Clinical Needs: The £50,000 POCUS machine was funded because it directly addressed emergency situations where children needed immediate, accurate cannula placement. Applications should demonstrate specific clinical benefits.

1. Provide Evidence-Based Benefits: The Paediatric Virtual Fracture Clinic serves 1,500+ patients annually with over 50% of cases treated outside clinic settings - demonstrating measurable efficiency and patient experience improvements.

1. Go Beyond NHS Provision: Rockinghorse explicitly funds “cutting edge equipment that the NHS cannot cover” and projects “over and above what the NHS can afford.” Applications must clearly articulate why NHS funding cannot cover the project.

• Enhance hospital experience
• Support medical advancements
• Empower children's resilience
• Reduce NHS costs
• Promote emotional wellbeing
• Foster connection between children, staff, and families

1. Include Real Impact Stories: Their campaigns feature specific case studies (like the three-month-old baby whose life was improved by POCUS). Include examples of how the project will make a tangible difference.

1. Align with Strategic Ambitions: Projects that “save lives” or help children “live well” are prioritised in their 2025-2030 strategy.

1. Support Partnership Working: As Operations Manager Sarah Phillips notes, projects that create impact for “babies, children and young people” through collaboration with NHS services are valued.

Application Pitfalls to Avoid

• Vague outcome descriptions - be specific about measurable benefits
• Insufficient evidence of need - include data, clinical input, and patient perspectives
• Projects that duplicate existing NHS provision rather than enhancing it
• Applications outside Sussex geography
• Projects without clear connection to children's health outcomes
• Lack of detail in cost breakdown
• No plan for measuring and reporting impact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Sussex Focus is Non-Negotiable - Only projects benefiting children in Sussex will be considered. Clearly demonstrate the local impact.

1. Applications Must Come from Professionals - This is not a public grant for families to apply to directly. Applicants must work for NHS services, hospitals, respite centres, or specialist services in Sussex.

1. Emphasize the “Over and Above” Element - Rockinghorse funds what the NHS cannot. Your application must clearly articulate why NHS funding cannot cover this need and how it goes beyond standard provision.

1. Quantify Impact Where Possible - The charity values measurable outcomes (e.g., “1,500 patients served annually,” “50% reduction in clinic visits”). Include data projections.

1. Tell Human Stories - Their campaigns feature specific patient examples. Include case studies or scenarios showing how individual children will benefit.

1. Align with Strategic Pillars - Frame your project within their 2025-2030 strategy focusing on saving lives, helping children live well, and being fit for the future.

1. Be Prepared to Share Your Story - Successful applicants must participate in media/fundraising appeals, so ensure your organisation can support this requirement.

1. Fast Turnaround - With one-month review periods, this is a relatively quick funder. Ensure your application is complete and well-evidenced from the start to avoid delays.

References

1. Rockinghorse Children's Charity Official Website - www.rockinghorse.org.uk
2. Rockinghorse Funding Application Form - https://www.rockinghorse.org.uk/funding-application-form/
3. Rockinghorse Our Strategy 2025-2030 - https://www.rockinghorse.org.uk/about/our-strategy/
4. Rockinghorse Annual Report - https://www.rockinghorse.org.uk/about/our-annual-report/
5. Charity Commission Register - Rockinghorse Children's Charity (1018759) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1018759
6. Meet the New Rockinghorse CEO - https://www.rockinghorse.org.uk/news/meet-the-new-rockinghorse-ceo/
7. Rockinghorse Board of Trustees - https://www.rockinghorse.org.uk/about/board-of-trustees/
8. Sussex Express: "Brighton children's hospital charity Rockinghorse launches new appeal for vital equipment" (2024)
9. Rockinghorse Our Projects - https://www.rockinghorse.org.uk/our-projects/