Who we are

Who are we?

The Pepper Foundation raises funds to provide children’s hospice at home care in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. Since 1993, the charity has been ensuring that families caring for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions have access to essential clinical nursing care, specialist play services, and more recently, family days out too.

Our team

The Pepper Foundation is managed by board of volunteer trustees with small team managing the day-to-day needs of the charity. This team consists of a fundraising team, communications, and the Pepper Play Service.

How do we support our community?

For 30 years The Pepper Foundation’s mission has been to improve the quality of life for families caring for children with complex health needs and life-limiting conditions. We ensure that children and their families have access to free, in-home hospice care and support; this includes services such as children’s specialist play through the Pepper Play Service, and clinical care and support through the Pepper Nursing teams.

We also believe that families should be able to enjoy recreational time together, so we also organise free family fun days and social events.

History

In 1987, Robert Breakwell and his late wife Karen, together with three 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 local charities.

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, planning began immediately to bring her idea of staging a charitable fundraising concert to life; in 1989 the very first Pepper Show happened, in tribute to Karen.

Four years later, The Pepper Foundation was born, its name reflecting this earlier tribute to the Beatles’ Sgt Pepper songs.

Annual Report & Accounts

The Pepper Foundation Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2025 can be downloaded here.

Fundraising Regulator

The Pepper Foundation is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and has signed up to their fundraising promise and adopted their Code of Fundraising Practice.  You can find out more about the Fundraising Regulator here.

Charity Commission

The Pepper Foundation is registered with the Charity Commission.  We aim to comply fully with the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and planning our future activities.  You can find out more about the Charity Commission here.

Privacy Policy

The Pepper Foundation’s website privacy policy can be found here.