The Pools Foundation celebrates launch with inaugural grant to charity Teenage Cancer Trust

Ex-England internationals Rachel Brown-Finnis and Ian Callaghan present £100,000 donation to Teenage Cancer Trust in Liverpool on behalf of newly launched The Pools Foundation

The Pools Foundation has marked its launch through a first charitable donation to Teenage Cancer Trust with a £100,000 contribution.

The Pools Foundation, inaugurated by iconic British betting brand The Pools, will be supporting a number of charities through 2026.

The launch of the Foundation was celebrated in Liverpool city centre, as The Pools Panel members and ex-England and Liverpool footballers Rachel Brown-Finnis and Ian Callaghan met with Teenage Cancer Trust representatives Emma Cross and Robert Sefton.

The Foundation’s first grant will support Teenage Cancer Trust in delivering the emotional and practical support that young people need, both through their cancer treatment and beyond.

This contribution continues a rich history of philanthropy at The Pools, started by its founder Sir John Moores who established The Pools in 1923. Across the last century, The Pools has donated money towards a number of good causes, including a rich history of supporting football at all levels, with proceeds from the brand over the years putting millions of pounds into the game, including helping to improve safety at football grounds via the Football Trust.

The Pools CEO James Arnold said: “The Pools has a long and rich tradition of philanthropy at its core, which is why we’re delighted to announce the launch of The Pools Foundation and our first charitable grant to Teenage Cancer Trust.

“As the only UK charity providing specialised nursing care and support for young people with cancer, the work Teenage Cancer Trust carries out, both in Liverpool and up and down the country, is truly inspiring – but also essential.

“Our donation will help more young people get the cancer care and support that they deserve and we look forward to supporting Teenage Cancer Trust through 2026.”

Cancer kills more young people than any other disease in the UK. Teenage Cancer Trust supports around 2,200 newly diagnosed young people each year, funding specialist nurses, youth workers and 28 Teenage Cancer Trust units within NHS hospitals.

Vikki Calcutt, Associate Director of Fundraising at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “We are extremely grateful to The Pools Foundation for this wonderful support. Thanks to them, we can continue to help young people receive the sensitive, individual care and support they need at this unique and critical life stage.”

England international Rachel Brown-Finnis said: “Teenage Cancer Trust and the work they do is vitally important so it’s brilliant to see The Pools Foundation launching today with this six-figure donation that will enable more young people suffering from cancer to receive the care that they need.”

To mark the announcement, Media Agency Group and Open Media created a digital billboard display in the centre of Liverpool, showcasing the important work of Teenage Cancer Trust.