And we’re live! Donate now to Family Fund’s charity appeal on BBC Radio 4 

The appeal, which will be broadcast again on Thursday 13 February, is raising funds to support Your Opportunity, our grant programme dedicated to enhancing the lives of disabled and seriously ill young adults aged 18 to 24.

With personal experience of caring for a disabled young adult, Ken and his wife Kerith are parents to Murray, who is autistic and has apraxia. 

Why donate?

“I know just how much support [disabled] young adults need from the time they’ve finished formal education up until they’re able to perhaps look after themselves a little bit more,” Ken said. “It’s a very difficult time and lots need support.” 

Fifty thousand disabled and seriously ill young adults live in poverty. Families are striving to meet their basic needs and cover caring costs of over £1,000 a month.

When young disabled adults turn 18, support drops by 57%. There are fewer specialist education and accessible social activities, and financial support often falls. Families feel abandoned – left to cope unsupported.

Family Fund’s Your Opportunity programme grants essential items that enhance young people’s lives, building a pathway to a positive future.

Whether it’s a laptop for learning and communication, adapted equipment to boost independence or specialist clubs and activities to have fun and socialise.

Because every young person’s opportunities should be the same.

Your support could help provide:

• £10 for a book for learning
• £50 towards three months’ membership for a local club – so a young adult can socialise and develop skills
• £100 could help fund a lightweight wheelchair – so a young person can enjoy more independence.

Cheryl Ward CBE, Group CEO of Family Fund, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to Ken for his heartfelt support of our charity and the countless UK families we serve. His personal dedication, along with the unwavering generosity of our long-standing partners, McCain UK, who are providing match funding for Family Fund’s appeal on Radio 4, help us create real impact at a time when the needs of families outstrip the funding we have.

“Every donation in this campaign brings life-changing support to young disabled adults, empowering them with the independence, opportunities and confidence they deserve. Whether it’s funding essential equipment, opening doors to education, or creating social connections, every pound makes a difference.”

Match funding boost from McCain

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our flagship corporate partner, McCain, your donation could have double the impact! The company is pledging to match the first thirty thousand pounds of donations raised to support our Your Opportunity programme.

McCain has supported Family Fund since 2020. They’ve donated £2milllion so far – providing grants to help make mealtimes easier for families raising disabled or seriously ill children across the UK.

About Ken Bruce

Ken Bruce was awarded an MBE in 2023 for his services to radio, to autism awareness and to charity.

Watch this clip from the BBC documentary he did with his son Murray, ‘Inside our Autistic Minds’.