Teenage Cancer Trust
Analysis
Teenage Cancer Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in May 1997, 29 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and the advancement of health or saving of lives, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 03350311). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides human resources and provides buildings/facilities/open space.
In the financial year ending December 2025, Teenage Cancer Trust reported income of £21.1m and spending of £20.2m, spending 96% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £16.3m to £21.1m (+29%), an average of +6.6% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2024, when income rose by 23%. Over the whole period it spent 104% of the income it received.
Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, Teenage Cancer Trust sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Blood Cancer UK Research (£21.1m), Thames Hospice (£21.2m) and Penrose Options (£20.9m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 80%, trading 18% and investments 1.4%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £422k. Charitable activities took 57% of spending and raising funds 39%. Reserves of £12.1m would cover about 7 months of spending at that rate. It employed 154 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 78%
- Legacies 2.0%
- Trading 18%
- Investments 1.4%
In the charity's own words
The long term objective of Teenage Cancer Trust is to make sure young people's lives don't stop because they have cancer. This is achieved by1. The development, construction and support of teenage cancer units2. The provision and development of regional services in connection with TYA cancers 3. The provision of funding for national initiatives for the benefit of all young people with cancer
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Cancer UK Research | Edinburgh | £21.1m |
| Thames Hospice | Berkshire | £21.2m |
| Penrose Options | London | £20.9m |
| Compass - Services to Improve Health and Wellbeing | North Yorkshire | £21.3m |