What We Do

Helping children with life-limiting illness, React works to give children comfort, dignity and where possible, greater independence. This past year, we have supplied a wide range of equipment from specialist wheelchairs, beds, baths, and mobility aids, to essential everyday items like washing machines and tumble dryers.

Why is React Necessary?

The need
Many clinicians report that as a result of recent advances in medical science, children and young people receiving treatment for life-limiting conditions are living longer. This means, many more children receiving palliative care are cared for by families in the comfort of their own home.

The needs of children, young people and their families are likely to be many, varied and complex. In addition, the mobility of a child may change over time, resulting in the requirement of a wide range of essential specialist equipment that may not be available through the limited funds of their local authority.

Our achievements
Working with medical professionals involved in paediatric care, React is able to respond to specific, identified needs. Our remit is broad enough to ensure that the range of support we provide is as diverse as the many illnesses with which thousands of children across the UK are living every day.

Every year React supplies a wide range of equipment, from specialist wheelchairs, beds, baths, and mobility aids, to essential everyday items like washing machines and tumble dryers.
We are unique...

React's mission

  • to improve the quality of life for children with life-limiting illnesses living in financially disadvantaged families throughout the UK
  • to provide families with the specialist care or equipment that will enhance their lives, following recommendations from medical professionals who have identified specific needs
  • to respond with practical and sensitive support within days, if not hours. When a child's life is short, an immediate response is vital
  • to support those families who are unlikely to receive the assistance they need from any other source in sufficient time
  • to provide assistance throughout a child's lifetime. Many life-limiting illnesses are degenerative and a child's needs may change constantly
  • to eliminate red tape and bureaucracy, allowing aid to be given quickly and without fuss, keeping administrative costs to an absolute minimum

Future objectives
Building on our achievements, we would like to reach more of the terminally ill children who so deserve a greater level of care.

This goal, however, involves two objectives:

  • we need to raise more funds in order to meet the requirements of an increasing number of children
  • we need to ensure that all families who would benefit from our help can access our service

React is Unique

  • React responds quickly to requests for help, sometimes within hours, with no red tape and meeting needs not met by the authorities or other charities
  • React does not limit families to the number of applications they may submit and will consider almost all basic, essential requests deemed of benefit to a child's health care needs
  • React supports families throughout a child's lifetime, providing vital, practical assistance 52 weeks of the year
  • React ensures maximum use is gained from each piece of equipment by recycling items no longer needed by a child
  • React keeps overheads to an absolute minimum; currently 93 pence in every pound goes directly towards helping children for whom life is short
  • React cuts out the need for lengthy application forms and prefers to rely on medical professionals working directly with children in palliative care to identify the specific needs of each child

React's newsletter demonstrates some of the people we help, and the recent work we have done. It is available in PDF format here or sign up to our mailing list and we will send you a copy.