Wally's Joy Fund
Let us tell you about us
Wally’s Joy Fund exists to provide financial support to over-60s who have been given the diagnosis of a terminal illness. Our grants help to fund the little things, or small joys, that make every day a pleasure.
We seek to fill the financial gap that social care, limited pensions and families are increasingly struggling to meet by funding moments to look forward to: be it a trip to the seaside; a meal out with family and friends; the chance to visit a relative who lives in another part of the country; or holding a birthday party to celebrate with loved ones.
Such small joys shouldn’t be considered luxuries, but are deserved daily pleasures near the end of a life.
How the fund works
Funds are raised through donations, & product sales
Grant applications are submitted via email
Once a month, funds are allocated to chosen applicants
We follow your story to share your moment of joy
Introducing Wally & Joy
Our Grandad, Wally, was given a terminal diagnosis of lung cancer, aged 91, nine months prior to passing away. During that time, as his family, we set about ensuring that his end of life was filled with moments to get excited about.
We wanted his quality of life to be just as good as it had ever been so we took him for meals out, trips to local attractions and arranged visits from relatives. In those dark, night-time hours, he needed reasons to focus his mind.
A terminal diagnosis is scary at any age so why are the elderly expected to deal with it any differently?
Wally had worked hard, raised a family and had spent years caring for his wife, our Granny, Joy, throughout her struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. At the end of his life, in the absence of any possible medical intervention, it was only right, and fair, that we cared for Wally’s heart, mind and life too.
But we realise that not every family can afford to do this.
Many elderly people are increasingly feeling alone and isolated and are just expected to sit and wait for their illness to take its toll. Instead, our fund gives options and opportunities to continue to get out there and embrace life.
The elderly deserve to be treated as individuals and deserve for us to continue to invest in their interests. We believe nothing should stop the moments of joy from happening. Especially not finance.
Our recent grants
88 year old Doreen always wanted to fly in a plane over her home town of Bristol - but never got the chance. So we helped her out. On 24th July 2019, Doreen took to the skies to see what all the fuss was about.
Summarised perfectly by Doreen, “I wanted to fly before I die.”
