A charity set up to provide free gift packs to cancer patients celebrated its tenth anniversary last month.
The Lewis Foundation is dedicated to bringing comfort, dignity and human connection to adult cancer patients through free gift packs and hospital support visits, including patients receiving treatment at Northampton and Kettering General Hospitals.
Founded in 2016 by Lorraine and Lee Lewis following their personal experience supporting Lee’s mum during cancer treatment at Northampton General Hospital, the charity began with a simple but powerful realisation. The couple noticed that some patients had no visitors or loved ones able to bring essential items or small comforts, so they started purchasing and delivering items themselves, an act of kindness that would grow into a movement supporting thousands.
Today, The Lewis Foundation hand delivers more than 2,000 free gift packs every month to patients receiving treatment at 17 hospitals across the Midlands. The charity now offers a range of thoughtfully curated packs containing overnight essentials, toiletries, letter-writing kits, miniature radios and other items designed to reduce loneliness and provide practical comfort during some of life’s most difficult moments.
Over the past decade, the organisation has evolved significantly, growing from a grassroots initiative into an award-winning charity and social enterprise with a wide-reaching community impact.
Alongside its hospital work, The Lewis Foundation now operates the Link Café at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, a coffee shop at the Elgar Centre in Upton and a retail outlet store in Northampton town centre supporting its Surplus Stock Appeal.
A key part of the charity’s evolution has been its commitment to inclusion and opportunity. Through initiatives such as Thrive Together, the Foundation opens its operations to individuals who often face barriers to employment or participation, offering meaningful work experience placements for young people and adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Participants take on real-world roles across retail, logistics, hospitality, administration, creative projects and fundraising, building confidence and transferable skills while contributing directly to the charity’s mission.
The initiative also creates opportunities for elderly volunteers and adults living with cancer to give back, fostering purpose, connection and improved wellbeing while reducing social isolation.
To celebrate the 10-year milestone, the charity has launched a programme of special fundraising events throughout the year, inviting supporters old and new to get involved.
Anniversary events include:
- Saturday May 9 – International Waendal Walk
- Saturday May 31 – Northampton 10km charity run
- Saturday June 6 – Tenth anniversary abseil down the iconic Northampton Lift Tower
- Sunday September 13 – Northampton Half Marathon
- Friday November 14 – Masquerade Ball at Fawsley Hall
Lorraine Lewis, co-founder and CEO of The Lewis Foundation, said: “Reaching our tenth anniversary is incredibly emotional for us. What started with a simple idea to make sure people didn’t feel alone or forgotten in hospital has grown into something far bigger than we ever imagined. Every gift pack delivered represents kindness from our community and this milestone is as much about our volunteers and supporters as it is about us.”
Lee added: “When we started, we had just £30 and a determination to make a difference. Ten years later, we’re supporting thousands of patients every month and working with hospitals right across the Midlands. The anniversary events are a chance to celebrate how far we’ve come and to ensure we can continue supporting people when they need it most.”
Last year, the charity celebrated raising more than £1.2m since its launch, highlighting the scale of community backing behind its mission.
Anyone wishing to take part in any of the fundraising events can sign up online here.
Businesses interested in partnering with The Lewis Foundation can get in touch by emailing hello@thelewisfoundation.co.uk
