Under 18, in Wandsworth
The recipient must be aged under 18 and resident in any postcode district within the London Borough of Wandsworth.
Helping children since 1931
Small grants. Big difference for Wandsworth's children.
Since 1931, the Eileen Lecky Fund has been making small, direct cash grants to disadvantaged children under 18 across the London Borough of Wandsworth, paying for the everyday essentials that genuinely change a child's day-to-day life.
1931
Helping Children Since
All
Wandsworth Postcode Districts
Volunteer
Run Minimal Overheads, Trustee-Led
Run Minimal Overheads, Trustee-Led
U18
Open to Children Under 18
Our Story
A small charity with a long history of quietly making lives better.
The charity was originally established in 1931, before the NHS, by Eileen Lecky and colleagues. Its specified object was to provide a children's clinic, run from premises at 2-4 Clarendon Drive, Putney. In 1961, after the founding of the NHS, the clinic itself was leased to the health service. Alongside it, a small charitable trust was set up to give grants to necessitous child patients of the health centre, later extended to necessitous child patients of any welfare centre in the London Borough of Wandsworth.
Today, under the working name The Eileen Lecky Fund, that trust continues. We make small, direct cash grants, typically £100 to £300, to families and individuals under 18 across Wandsworth to help them buy clothing, food, household equipment or other items that make a real difference to a child's health and wellbeing.
The fund is run by a body of volunteer trustees on a not-for-profit basis with very limited running costs. We have always prioritised directing as much income as possible into grants for the children we exist to help.
Who We Help
Three things to check before applying.
Our grants are designed to reach the children who need them most, quickly and without fuss. Please make sure each of the following applies before submitting an application.
Up to £300 per family
Grants are normally limited to a maximum of £300 per family, per occasion. Most grants we issue are smaller than this.
For items not yet purchased
We can only fund items that have not yet been bought. We're unable to reimburse for purchases already made.
How It Works
From application to support, in four steps.
Applications come through a third-party referrer who knows the child or family in a professional or community-based capacity. We do not accept applications directly from parents or children themselves.
Referrer Identifies a Need
A Wandsworth social worker, head teacher, medical professional or church minister identifies a child whose wellbeing could be helped by a small grant.
Application Submitted
The referrer completes our online application form on the child's behalf, describing the family's situation and the items needed.
Trustees Review
Our trustees review every application carefully. A decision is usually made within around two weeks, sometimes with a follow-up question.
Grant Issued
If approved, a grant is issued to support the purchase of the agreed items. We aim to make sure the help arrives when it's needed most.
What Grants Pay For
Practical things that make daily life work.
Grants are deliberately practical. The list below isn't exhaustive, every request is considered on its own merits.
Clothing & Shoes
Coats for winter, school shoes, basic clothing where these are unaffordable to the family.
Beds & Furniture
Beds, bedding and essential furniture for children who don't have suitable space of their own.
White Goods
Cookers, fridges and washing machines, the household essentials many families simply can't replace.
Trips & Activities
Helping a child take part in school trips, holidays or activities that nourish their wellbeing.
Baby Equipment
Cots, prams, car seats and other essential items for the youngest children in our community.
Christmas Extras
Small additions to make Christmas a little brighter for children whose families are struggling.
The Eileen Lecky Fund has been an invaluable resource in my work with families in need. A grant helped me support a vulnerable young mother and her toddler to move into independent accommodation, easing the anxiety around the financial impact of the move and making sure her daughter had the things she needed, like a safe space to sleep.Social Worker · Battersea
Ready to apply
Applications are open for grants up to £200.
If you're a referrer working with a child or family in Wandsworth, you can submit an application now. The form takes around 10 minutes and we'll usually respond within two weeks.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about applying.
Who can submit an application?
Applications must come from a third-party referrer who knows the child in a professional capacity, typically a Wandsworth social worker, head teacher, medical professional or church minister. We don't accept applications directly from parents or children.
How much can a family receive?
Grants are normally up to £300 per family on any one occasion. We are currently accepting applications for grants up to £200.
How long does a decision take?
Trustees aim to review applications as quickly as possible. A decision usually takes around two weeks. Sometimes we may contact you to discuss the application before deciding.
Can the grant cover items already bought?
No. We can only fund items that have not yet been purchased. Please apply before buying anything you'd like the fund to cover.
Which Wandsworth postcodes are eligible?
Any postcode district within the London Borough of Wandsworth qualifies. If you're not sure whether a particular address falls inside the borough boundary, please get in touch and we'll happily help you check.
How is the grant paid out?
Once approved, the trustees make a bank transfer directly to the applicant. Where applications are urgent, funds are often in the recipient's account within a week of applying.
Get In Touch
Questions before applying? We're happy to help.
If you're a professional or community referrer working with a Wandsworth family and you'd like to talk through a potential application, please get in touch with our trustee, Margaret. Email is the fastest way to reach us.