Fundraising for treatment not available through the NHS

Some families choose to fundraise so they can access treatment that is not routinely available through the NHS, such as certain clinical trials or private treatments. This may be with the aim of helping their child remain in remission after frontline or other therapy, or to get back into remission if the cancer has returned.

Choosing whether to access treatment that is not available on the NHS, and to fundraise to make that treatment possible, is a deeply personal decision. There is no “right” or “wrong” approach to this, and decisions around accessing treatment and fundraising will be informed by each child and family’s individual circumstances. Further information about making decisions about fundraising can be found below. 

Should I be fundraising for additional treatment for neuroblastoma? 

If you decide that fundraising to access treatment is right for your child and family and you'd like support, this page explains how to host a fundraising campaign with Solving Kids' Cancer UK. 

Our approach 

Solving Kids’ Cancer UK does not encourage or promote fundraising for treatment. We also do not provide medical advice, determine treatment plans, or make clinical recommendations. All medical decisions, including whether treatment outside the NHS should be considered and whether travel overseas is appropriate, should be made with your child’s UK clinical team. However, we understand why some families access treatment options which are not available on the NHS, and so working in partnership with a child's clinical team will do our best to support families who choose this path. 

How does fundraising with Solving Kids’ Cancer UK work? 

Before a fundraising campaign begins 

Before a fundraising campaign is put in place, we will: 

• Talk with you about your plans for treatment and fundraising 

• Explain how fundraising with the charity works, including roles, expectations and responsibilities 

• Make sure you have all the information you needto decide whether hosting a fundraising campaign through Solving Kids’ Cancer UK feels right for your family 

If you decide you would like to set up a fundraising campaign, we formalise the arrangement through a signed fundraising agreement. This confirms how the fund will operate and what donations can be used for, ensuring that everything is set up with clarity and care. 

Once a fundraising campaign has been agreed

When a fundraising campaign has been agreed, we will begin putting everything in place to support your family and ensure the fund is managed safely and transparently. This includes: 

• Setting up your child’s dedicated fundraising page. 

• Managing and overseeing the fund, including financial oversight, appropriate use of donations and record‑keeping. 

• Claiming Gift Aid, where eligible, to increase the value of donations made by UK taxpayers. 

• Helping determine an appropriate fundraising target (as and when this becomes relevant), considering anticipated treatment costs and the associated expenses of accessing treatment. 

• Supporting your fundraising efforts with practical tips, guidance, encouragement and fundraising resources such as collection tins and materials. 

• Stewarding your wider fundraising community to help optimise their fundraising activities. 

Support accessing treatment 

Alongside hosting fundraising campaigns, our Family Support Team can support the other practical elements of accessing treatments outside of the NHS. You can read more about this on the page linked below. 

Support accessing treatment not available on the NHS