Set up in memory of 13-year-old Charlie Ilsley, Team Charlie supports families navigating the ordeal of childhood cancer by offering respite through free holidays at Charlie’s Retreat, situated in the heart of the Cotswolds.

Team Charlie provide a safe space for these families when they need it most, to increase wellbeing and to do what normal families do – spend time together. For some, it’s the opportunity to create memories knowing that their child’s illness is terminal.

Opened in February 2026, Charlie’s Retreat is already welcoming these families through our doors, based at Hoburne Cotswolds in South Cerney, near Cirencester, surrounded by tranquillity and an abundance of activities to explore.

Impact

At least one parent often has to take time off work for long periods or giving up work entirely in order to become their child's carer. This lack of income puts immense financial and emotional pressure on families, already struggling with the cost of living, leaving no money for what matters most - quality family time together.

While ‘luxuries’ such as a break away are unaffordable, they are vital to the physical and mental wellbeing of both child and family/carer, including siblings.

That is why having access to regular short breaks is vital to relieve this stress, spend time as a family and do the things that other families do. Yet local authority funding for short breaks for children’s hospices was cut by 12% in 2019/20. Research* estimates 11% parents of children who need respite delivered by children’s palliative care providers would experience significantly less stress and improved mental and physical health if they could access them.