Supporting Children Suffering From Cancer, And Their Families
Who We Are
The Thomas Ball Children's Cancer Fund was founded in 1999 by Thomas Ball, then aged 9 and himself undergoing treatment for neuroblastoma stage four which had been diagnosed some 20 months earlier.
The main objective of tbccf is to relieve sickness and distress among children suffering from cancer and members of their families. We do this in any way that the trustees feel will be beneficial to the sick child, usually in the form of medical equipment, holidays, special gifts and research.
Thomas was the charity's most prolific fundraiser - from sponsored bike rides and swimming to dances, discos, draws and raffles. His idea of an annual garden fete in the Buckinghamshire village where he lived brings in approximately Ł500 each year.
A holiday chalet, known as "Tom's Retreat", situated on the Hampshire coast in New Milton was purchased in 2001, and allowed children with cancer and leukaemia to have a free holiday and a much needed break away from hospital treatments. Thomas helped to choose the chalet, as he knew from experience the sort of things that would help children forget about their difficulties and have a great time. The tbccf Holiday Chalet afforded many children and their families a much-deserved holiday from the demands of treatments and hospital visits. Unfortunately in 2008 the chalet was demolished to make way for a new development. Please visit our Holiday Homes page and take a look at our new holiday homes available free of charge to children being treated for cancer.
How Can I Help?
We are delighted to have successfully purchased a brand new holiday home in December 2022, thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors and supporters. However, the ground rent alone costs around £9,000 each year before maintenance, gas, and electricity, so your donations are still vital. Holidays make such a difference to children suffering from cancer and their families — please consider making a donation towards the upkeep of our home.
Upcoming Events
27 Jun 2026, 00:00 – 5:00Great Missenden Memorial Centre, Link Rd, Great Missenden HP16, UKJoin us for the Thomas Ball Midnight Dream Walk — a 6 mile night walk commencing at midnight from Great Missenden Memorial Centre. Doors open from 11:15pm. Registration fee £15. Contact tomballcharity@aol.com or call 07766 050 216.
24 Oct 2026, 19:00 – 25 Oct 2026, 00:00Holiday Inn High Wycombe - Redgrave Suit, Holiday Inn, High Wycombe HP11 1TL, UKJoin us for the Angel Ball 2026 in aid of The Thomas Ball Children's Cancer Fund. Contact tomballcharity@aol.com to reserve your tickets.
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