About us

Hi! My name is Katie, and I am the founder of Cards for Bravery.

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Cards for Bravery was founded in May 2015 during a four-month hospital stay when I was just 13 years old. Living with multiple long-term health conditions, I spent the majority of my childhood and teenage years in and out of hospital. During one particularly tough period, I received a handmade card from a friend. It was simple, but it made me smile and brought a little light to a really dark time.

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That small act of kindness stuck with me. After a conversation with the head play specialist at my hospital, I decided I wanted to do the same for others. I’d been searching for a way to help other unwell children for a while, and creating positive, handmade cards for hospitalised and seriously ill children felt like the perfect place to start; especially as someone artistic and crafty themselves! 

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From that moment, Cards for Bravery was born; with the mission of brightening the days of children and young people facing similar challenges.

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Over time, what started as a small initiative of handmade cards has grown into a wider mission; to support the emotional wellbeing of hospitalised and seriously ill children, young people, and their families.  We continue to distribute thousands of cards filled with positive messages, but now we also create Bravery Packages, Activity Packs, and other resources aimed at bringing comfort, connection, and positivity during some of the most isolating and difficult moments.

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I know firsthand how hard it is to grow up unwell, feeling left out, forgotten, or scared while the rest of the world moves on without you. That’s why we’re always dreaming up new ways to show young people that they are seen, supported, and never alone.

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Cards for Bravery is powered by compassion and by the incredible support of the public. We couldn’t do any of this without you. Together, we can and will continue to make a difference