Our strategy
No childhood lost to serious illness
Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity’s strategy for 2026–2031 sets out our bold ambition: to ensure no childhood is lost to serious illness.
There has never been a more urgent moment for seriously ill children.
Across the UK, around one in three children with a rare disease dies before their fifth birthday. Yet children are dramatically underrepresented in health research. While young people make up 20% of the UK population, only around 5% of research funding is spent on them.
Incredible, lifesaving science exists. Breakthroughs are possible. But too often they don't move fast enough to reach children who can’t afford to wait.
It’s not good enough.
As the UK's largest dedicated charitable funder of child health research, and as the charity rooted at the heart of Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), we have a unique opportunity and a clear responsibility to act.
Over the next five years, we’ll double our investment in child health research so children can access the treatments they need, faster. We’ll use our voice and influence to advocate for change within the health system. And we’ll continue to fund the vital practical and emotional support families at GOSH rely on.
We’ll stop at nothing to ensure seriously ill children are given what they deserve: the best chance and the best childhood possible.
Together with our supporters and partners, and our colleagues at GOSH, we’ll keep researching, influencing, advocating, playing, laughing, holding and caring. So more children can reach their fifth birthday – and beyond.
Until no childhood is lost to serious illness.