About Us

The history behind The Pepper Foundation

In 1987, Robert Breakwell and his late wife Karen, together with four friends, came up with the idea of presenting a concert using local musicians, vocalists and school children to celebrate the Beatles’ famous Sgt Pepper album and raise funds for a local charity.

Before the idea could come to fruition, Karen was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Throughout her illness she was cared for by a nursing team from Iain Rennie Hospice at Home. Sadly, Karen died in July 1988. In recognition of the support both he and Karen had received, Robert became a volunteer for Iain Rennie. In the same year he was persuaded to revisit his idea of staging a charitable fundraising concert and organised what turned out to be the first Pepper Show, in tribute to his late wife.

In 1993 Robert set up The Pepper Foundation – its name reflecting his earlier tribute to the Beatles’ Sgt Pepper songs. Having started with one part-time nurse the charity now supports seven specialists who provide 24 hour on-call care and support, 365 days a year for up to 50 life limited children and their families at any one time.

The Pepper ethos

To alleviate the suffering of children with complex health needs or life limiting conditions, through the provision of free home care support, primarily with funds for the Children’s Hospice at Home paediatric nursing team, which is managed by Rennie Grove Hospice Care.
Additionally, The Pepper Foundation may make grants to help meet specific care needs.

Strategy

To enable the charity to raise funds for the children’s nursing service, the Trustees have developed a wide and varied income stream, to maximise fundraising opportunities and sustain fundraising momentum. The balance of this strategy is continually reviewed and rebalanced depending on the relative success of different initiatives

This income stream is currently spread across the following areas of activity:
– A dedicated charity fundraiser identifies major new fundraising opportunities, both in collaboration with other organisations/groups or customised specifically for Pepper

– The charity aims to connect with organisations and groups who choose a charity to support, such as local town Mayors, Golf clubs, schools, Rotary Clubs, and local businesses, making them aware of the work of The Pepper Foundation and building relationships to consequently achieve a high fundraising success rate

– The charity has an ongoing programme of activity to obtain grants and financial support from charitable trusts and other grant making organisations who support children’s causes.

– The charity has a planned calendar of local events to raise additional funds as well as raise the profile of the charity. These include our flagship event, the Pepper Show, which will celebrate its 33rd year in 2021. Additionally, we work closely with local organisations who arrange events and fundraise on our behalf. Examples of this include the Berkhamsted Rotary half marathon and 5-mile Fun Run, the Eastwoods Golf day, and participation in the Tring carnival.

Additionally, individuals and groups planning a sponsored activity to raise money for a charity are encouraged to support the Pepper Foundation with sponsorship packs and promotional materials.