BLOG: Meet our chosen Charities for 2026
KQ Liverpool’s Senior Marketing Manager, Liz Farrington, INTRODUCES the three AMAZING charities we have chosen to support throughout our 10th anniversary year, IN OUR LATEST BLOG.
“We had a great response to our search for this year’s Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) charity partners, and we are pleased to have chosen The Brain Charity, Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, and Alfie’s Squad to support across 2026.
“From peer mentors, to dance classes, family lunch clubs, to art projects, these charities are using the power of community and creativity to positively impact the lives of the young people they support.
“All three charities provide dedicated support to children and young people within our innovation district and beyond, and undertake some fantastic work that I’d love to share with you in more detail below.”
THE BRAIN CHARITY
Overview
The Brain Charity offers emotional support, practical help and social activities to anyone with a neurological condition, and to their family, friends, and carers, with bespoke activities for those aged 3-18 years old.
Location
Their services are run from their KQ Liverpool-based centre, but support people from all over the UK via phone, video call and email. They also have staff based in hospitals across Merseyside.
Did you know?
There are more than 600 conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord and nervous system, and The Brain Charity provides support for every single one.
Key activities supporting children and young people
The Brain Changer Arts Project: Fun sessions incorporating vital physiotherapy through dance, and occupational therapy through crafts, in local schools.
School Holiday sessions: Enabling beneficiaries to enjoy an accessible holiday camp experience with their peers that meets their needs, while providing respite for parents and carers.
Dedicated Caseworkers: Specific Children and Young Person Caseworkers as part of their Information and Advice Service, alongside delivering a specialist Carers Advocacy service within the boundaries of Liverpool City Council.
Charity voice
Esme Smithson, Senior Fundraiser:
“We are delighted with our new partnership with KQ Liverpool this year. Having seen the immense impact they have within the innovation district first hand, we are really looking forward to working together on a number of fundraising initiatives, which will enable us to scale-up the support we provide to children and young people with neurological conditions, both locally and right across the UK.”
"Our goal is to help people with all forms of neurological conditions to live longer, healthier and happier lives. Support from organisations like Knowledge Quarter Liverpool, who share our values and commitment to building inclusive communities, are vital to helping us achieve this mission. We are grateful for their support and can't wait to celebrate their 10th anniversary together this year!"
Find out more
Please click here to read more.
CLATTERBRIDGE CANCER CHARITY
Overview
Clatterbridge Cancer Charity is the only dedicated charity supporting patients and research at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. As one of the UK’s leading cancer centres, it provides highly specialist cancer care to a population of 2.4m across Merseyside, Cheshire and beyond, including many young people aged 16-25.
Location
The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity team has bases across Liverpool City Region, supporting the three Clatterbridge Cancer Centre sites at Aintree, Liverpool and Wirral, plus the Clatterbridge Paddington Health Hub and Paddington Community Diagnostic Centre.
Did you know?
Thanks to generous fundraisers, Clatterbridge Cancer Charity supported the creation of the dedicated Teenage and Young Adult ward at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, which opened in June 2020.
Key activities supporting children and young people
Funds activities for patients in the specialist Teenage and Young Adult ward: Running of social activities, peer-to-peer mentorship, family days and more to support both families and young patients.
Weekly lunch club: Offering young people the opportunity to connect with others who are going through similar experiences, providing essential social and emotional support during their diagnosis, treatment, and beyond.
Trips and experiences: From football matches and zoo trips, to spa days and participating in podcasts, each event is designed to be fun and engaging.
Charity voice
Rachel Heslin, Corporate Fundraising Manager:
“It is our role to fund life-saving research, invest in leading technologies, and fund a range of services to make a difference to those affected by cancer. The dedicated Teenage and Young Adult ward at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre is something we are particularly proud to provide funding for, and thanks to the generosity of supporters, like KQ Liverpool, we can continue helping to provide essential social and emotional support to young patients during their diagnosis, treatment, and beyond.
“This year marks our charity’s 30th Anniversary and it therefore seems fitting to be supported by another innovative, local organisation also celebrating their own major milestone.”
Find out more
Please click here to read more.
ALFIE’S SQUAD
Overview
Alfie’s Squad is the UK’s only charity providing face-to-face peer support for children and young people, aged 6-17, bereaved by suicide. Young members and their families feel understood, less alone, and supported after the loss of a loved one to suicide.
Location
Families can refer, or be referred, to attend sessions at their primary Liverpool city centre base, or their second Squad located in Bolton. There is also an online peer support group attended by children
who live across the wider country.
Did you know?
The foundations of Alfie’s Squad extend back to 2017, when 8-year old Alfie Fitzsimmons lost his dad to suicide. Unable to access the right support, Alfie wanted to change that, so no other child felt alone. Motivated by his own experience, Alfie’s vision to support others through peer support has since blossomed into a groundbreaking initiative, recently marking one year as a registered charity.
Key activities supporting children and young people
Children and young people sessions: Fun and engaging activities to help build friendships and confidence, within a safe space.
Family support: Parents and carers benefit from their own support group, only metres away from their young members.
Away from the sessions: In addition to the weekly sessions, Alfie’s Squad is working with families on what further help might be needed, including CV writing, finding work, signposting to financial support, and more.
Charity voice
Andrea Duggan, Operations Manager:
“Corporate partnerships are extremely valuable to our charity, and we are really looking forward to working with KQ Liverpool this year. Both organisations share the same values of inclusivity, community spirit, and empowering children and young people to believe in a future filled with endless possibilities, and I know we can achieve great things together.”
Find out more
Please click here to read more.
Summary
This year marks KQ Liverpool’s 10th Anniversary milestone, and we have a whole host of equally significant challenges and fundraising initiatives planned over the coming months, with all donations received being split equally between the three charities highlighted above.
More information on specific activities will be announced shortly!
My colleagues and I are looking forward to seeing what the impact of our support can do, in raising awareness of the three charities’ vital support services, providing much needed donations to fund new activities, and helping to improve outcomes for the next generation of innovators, researchers and leaders.
- Liz Farrington, Senior Marketing Manager, KQ Liverpool.
