Lifelites, a charity that provides assistive and sensory technology to children’s hospices in the UK and Ireland, is marking its 25th anniversary by launching a new £1.6 million campaign.

The charity is embarking on an ambitious three-year programme to deliver new assistive technology packages and transformative grants to children’s palliative care services to reach more children and families.

Whether it is creating art using their eyes with the innovative Eyegaze or playing side by side with brothers and sisters on the Magic Carpet, the assistive and sensory technologies empower children to play, communicate with the people they love, explore the world around them, and express themselves in ways that may otherwise be impossible.

Every year, 13,500 children and young people access Lifelites technology. However, the charity estimates that there are 99,000 children and young people who could benefit from its support.

Under the Lifelites 25 project, the charity will provide packages of assistive technology worth up to £25,000 each to 21 new organisations it currently does not support, along with technical help and training.

Lifelites is inviting applications now until 10 January 2025 and will fund seven projects per year for three years.

In addition, the charity will also support four new transformational projects that harness the power of technology to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people with life-limiting conditions.

Each grant will be worth up to £250,000. Applicants must demonstrate direct and measurable positive outcomes for children, young people, and their families.

Lifelites is inviting stage 1 applications until 10 January 2025.

Both grant programmes are open to regulated organisations or registered charities delivering services to children and young people with life-limiting conditions. Applications can be made here.

Lifelites has welcomed the celebrity chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli, and his wife, Michelle, whose son, Valentino, is autistic, as Patrons of the charity.

They said: “It’s amazing, to see the connection and happiness from children using the technology. Our son, Valentino, is a big fan of the safari Pods Sensory Tent and the Magic Carpet. It’s so vital that youngsters get to play like other children and Lifelites makes that happen.”

Rob Lightfoot, Chief Executive of Lifelites, commented: “We are delighted to be working with Jean-Christophe and Michelle as Patrons of Lifelites; their family story illustrates some of the challenges faced by thousands of families across the country.

“However, at the heart is the universal desire every parent has to enable their children to live the best lives that they can, to play together and to create cherished family memories.

“At Lifelites we are determined to increase access to our life-changing technology through Lifelites 25.”

In 2021, Jingle Jam, a renowned games charity event, raised over £211,000 for the work of Lifelites.