The Edwina Mountbatten And Leonora Children's Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £228,000 - £264,000 (based on recent expenditure)
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £70,000
• Geographic Focus: UK-based charities (work can be worldwide)
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Success Rate: Not publicly available

Contact Details

• Address: The Estate Office, Broadlands, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 9ZE
• Email: narahguy@broadlandsestates.co.uk
• Phone: 01794 505080
• Website: No dedicated website (registered with Charity Commission)

Overview

The Edwina Mountbatten and Leonora Children's Foundation (Charity No. 228166) was originally established in 1963 as The Edwina Mountbatten Trust, founded in memory of Edwina Mountbatten, Countess Mountbatten of Burma. The trust merged with the Leonora Children's Cancer Fund in 2010 and was renamed in 2014 to its current form.

The Leonora Children's Cancer Fund was established by Lord and Lady Romsey (now the Earl and Countess Mountbatten of Burma) in memory of their daughter Leonora Louise Marie Elizabeth Knatchbull (1986-1991), who died aged five from a kidney tumour at St Bartholomew's Hospital. The foundation continues the legacy of both charities by funding specialist nurses caring for children with cancer and supporting paediatric cancer research.

Recent financial data shows annual income of approximately £94,000 against expenditure of £264,000 (2024), with the charity drawing on reserves to maintain its grant-making activities. The foundation does not receive government funding and operates without paid staff, with all trustees serving voluntarily.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Nursing Support Grants: £5,000 - £70,000 (funding specialist nurses caring for children with cancer)
• Research Grants: Supporting primary research into causes of paediatric cancer
• Children's Relief: Broader support for sick, distressed, or needy children worldwide

Priority Areas

• Support for nurses caring for children suffering from cancer
• Primary research into causes of paediatric cancer
• Relief of sick, distressed, or needy children worldwide
• Promotion of the art and practice of nursing
• Child health projects in underserved regions

What They Don't Fund

• The foundation does not explicitly publish exclusion criteria
• Focus is strongly on children's health and nursing, particularly paediatric cancer
• General charitable requests outside these areas are unlikely to be considered

Past Grant Recipients

The foundation has historically supported:

• Borne (initiatives investigating causes and treatments of childhood cancers)
• Inter Care (child health projects in underserved regions)
• St John Eye Hospital (eye care services including for children)
• Specialist children's cancer nursing programmes

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• The Rt Hon Penelope, The Countess Mountbatten of Burma - Trustee and co-founder of the Leonora Children's Cancer Fund, mother of Leonora Knatchbull
• The Lady Alexandra Knatchbull - Trustee, sister of Leonora Knatchbull
• Lady Mary Fagan - Trustee
• Myrddin Rees FRCS DL - Trustee
• Peter Hugh Trevor Mimpriss - Trustee

The foundation maintains strong family stewardship, with the Countess Mountbatten of Burma and Lady Alexandra Knatchbull serving as trustees to ensure continuity and personal commitment to the foundation's mission. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process or online portal. The foundation operates through trustee discretion, and grants are made to organisations selected by the trustees.

Prospective applicants should:

1. Write a formal letter of introduction to the trustees at The Estate Office, Broadlands
2. Clearly outline how your work aligns with the foundation's focus on children's health, particularly paediatric cancer nursing or research
3. Include full details of your organisation, charitable status, and proposed project
4. Provide a detailed budget and explanation of how funds would be used

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation has specific connections that may help organisations become known to the trustees:

• The foundation is closely connected to the Broadlands Estate in Romsey, Hampshire - engagement with local healthcare initiatives may be relevant
• The trustees have personal connections to paediatric oncology through the family's experience with Leonora's illness at St Bartholomew's Hospital
• Organisations working with specialist paediatric cancer nurses may have stronger alignment with the foundation's original mission

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified. As a small trust operating without staff, decision times may vary based on trustee meeting schedules.

Reapplication Policy

No formal policy is publicly documented. Organisations are advised to contact the foundation directly regarding reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented priorities and history:

• Demonstrate clear impact on children with cancer: The foundation was born from the family's personal tragedy of losing a child to cancer. Projects that directly help children with cancer or support the nurses who care for them will have strongest alignment.

• Focus on nursing support: The original Edwina Mountbatten Trust specifically provided “specially trained nurses to help look after children with childhood cancer” - this remains a core priority.

• Show research credibility: For research applications, demonstrate clear focus on “primary research into causes of paediatric cancer” rather than general oncology research.

• UK-based with international reach acceptable: While grants typically go to UK-registered charities, the foundation supports projects “in any part of the world” - international project work is welcomed if the applicant organisation is UK-based.

• Match grant scale appropriately: With grants ranging £5,000-£70,000 and limited annual resources, ensure your funding request is proportionate to the foundation's capacity.

• Personal connection through formal channels: With no public application process, a well-crafted letter demonstrating genuine understanding of the foundation's mission is essential.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - Contact must be made directly to the trustees at Broadlands Estate; expect a relationship-building process rather than a transactional application
• Strong paediatric cancer focus - The foundation's core mission centres on children with cancer and the nurses who care for them, stemming from the Knatchbull family's personal loss
• Family-led governance - Trustees include family members deeply personally connected to the cause; applications should acknowledge and respect this context
• Modest but committed funder - Annual expenditure of £228,000-£264,000 with grants of £5,000-£70,000; the foundation is drawing on reserves to maintain giving
• UK charities preferred - Applicants should be UK-registered, though project work can be international
• Nursing and research priorities - Specialist nursing support and paediatric cancer research are primary focus areas
• No paid staff - Expect longer response times and ensure applications are clear and concise

References

• Charity Commission Register - The Edwina Mountbatten and Leonora Children's Foundation (228166): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=228166&subId=0
• Charity Commission - Trustees Information: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/228166/trustees
• Charity Commission - Accounts and Annual Returns: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/228166/accounts-and-annual-returns
• Find That Charity: https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-228166
• Giving is Great - Charity Factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=228166
• International Development Alliance Scotland - Funding Update: https://intdevalliance.scot/membership/funding-update/the-edwina-mountbatten-and-leonora-childrens-foundation/
• Hub Cymru Africa - Funder Profile: https://hubcymruafrica.wales/portfolio-items/the-edwina-mountbatten-and-leonora-childrens-foundation/
• Wikipedia - Leonora Children's Cancer Fund: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonora_Children's_Cancer_Fund

Accessed: December 2025