Each year Francis House cares for over 150 children and their families. To provide all this costs a lot of money, and the charity is funded almost entirely by voluntary donations.

There is no charge to families for this service. We constantly seek funding from the various Health Authorities in whose areas the children live. A few respond by making an annual grant but the total amount we receive from 5 different Health Authorities would keep Francis house open for about 2 weeks of the year! We rely almost totally on the generosity and commitment of the general public, Trusts and businesses and wish to pay them a huge tribute for their generosity and willingness to be partners with the parents and Francis House in the care of the seriously sick children in our community.

There is a special appeal, The Kirsty Millennium Appeal, which seeks to secure the future of Francis House and draw attention to the extremely low funding awarded to Children's Hospices in general from statutory sources. Information on this Appeal can be reached on http://www.kirstysappeal.co.uk/

Meanwhile, we have to find the means to continue....

Please seize the moment to give. Any help, however small, will make their lives easier.

• Become a Friend-in-a Million - make an annual pledge

• Make a bequest in your Will

• Make a regular Standing Order or Gift Aid declaration in favour of Rainbow Family Trust

• Support any of the many events held throughout the year which helps to raise funds

• Encourage your colleagues and employers to initiate a Give As You Earn scheme at your place of work. (Just imagine if a mere 1000 people gave £5 per month, that would make a difference to Francis House of £60,000 a year!)

• Send a cheque or postal order, no matter how small to: Francis House, Rainbow Family Trust, 390 Parrswood Road, Manchester M20 5NA

• Phone a donation through using your credit card on 0161 434 7252