One Year of Play, Partnership & Purpose: Celebrating Our First Year Supporting Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People

Almost a year ago, we proudly launched our partnership with Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People alongside our wonderful friends at Connetix, united by a shared belief in the power of play, creativity and community.

What started with a heartfelt letter and a shared mission has grown into something incredibly meaningful, not only for our team, but for our wider TKC community too. Over the last year, together with our customers, partners and supporters, we’ve helped raise awareness, spark conversations, and contribute towards the extraordinary work Rainbows does every single day for babies, children and young people with serious or terminal conditions and their families.

And as we celebrate one year of this partnership, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on everything Rainbows has achieved over the last 12 months, and say a huge thank you to every single person who has supported this journey with us.

An Outstanding Year for Rainbows

This last year has been a landmark one for Rainbows.

In an incredible achievement, Rainbows became the first children’s hospice in England to be rated “Outstanding” across all five areas by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), receiving the highest possible rating in safety, care, responsiveness, effectiveness and leadership.

It’s a huge recognition of the compassion, dedication and life-changing support the Rainbows team provides to families every day, whether at the hospice, in hospitals, or in family homes across the region.

Rainbows has also continued to expand and champion its incredible Hospice at Home service, which supports children and families in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes during the most difficult times. Earlier this year, Rainbows took part in the Big Give campaign to raise vital funds for this service, and thanks to an incredible wave of community support, they reached their £80,000 target in just three days, ultimately raising an amazing £93,585.25 in total, including Gift Aid.

It’s moments like these that remind us just how powerful community can be.

What We’ve Achieved Together

Since launching our partnership in July 2025, we’ve been committed to making support for Rainbows part of everyday moments at The Kid Collective.

Together with Connetix, we introduced our special Connetix Rainbow partnership initiative, where purchases from selected Rainbow range products help support Rainbows and the incredible work they do.

In December 2025, we also launched our donation add-on feature across our website, giving our community the opportunity to add a donation to their order at checkout or while shopping online. Watching customers choose to give back alongside their purchases has been incredibly moving and a real reflection of the kindness within our community.

Over the last year, we’ve also hosted three warehouse sales where we introduced fundraising games, raffles and donation points to help raise both awareness and additional support for Rainbows. 

Every order, every donation, every raffle ticket and every conversation has helped make a difference.

Melanie Bodaly, Partnership Development and Events Manager at Rainbows, reflects on the year: 'It's been so fantastic to see this partnership flourish and the impact it has had on not only raising vital funds for Rainbows but also raising awareness of children's hospice care. We are so grateful to TKC & Connetix for believing in the power of play and can't wait for year two of the partnership!'

Why This Partnership Means So Much To Us

At The Kid Collective, we’ve always believed in celebrating childhood through joyful, imaginative and inclusive play. Rainbows shares that same belief, creating moments of joy, comfort, creativity and connection for children and families facing unimaginable circumstances.

Over the last year, this partnership has become deeply personal to our team. We’ve learned more about the extraordinary work Rainbows does behind the scenes, met inspiring people connected to the charity, and seen first-hand the impact community support can have.

What makes us most proud is that this partnership has never just been about fundraising; it’s been about using play as a force for good.

Laura Davies, Founder of The Kid Collective, said: 'What started as a shared belief in the power of play has blossomed into one of the most rewarding chapters in The Kid Collective's story. We're endlessly grateful to our community for getting behind Rainbows with such generosity and heart, and we're excited to keep growing this partnership in ways that make a real difference'

Looking Ahead To Year Two

As we move into the second year of our partnership, we’re more excited than ever about what’s to come.

We’re looking forward to continuing to support Rainbows not only through fundraising but also through education, awareness and hands-on involvement from our team. Plans for the year ahead include Lunch & Learn sessions with the Rainbows team, internal fundraising activities like cake sales, and even taking part in some of Rainbows’ own fundraising events and challenges.

Most importantly, we want to continue sharing the incredible work Rainbows does with our community and finding new ways we can all make a difference together.

Thank You

To every customer who has purchased a Connetix Rainbow product, added a donation at checkout, attended a warehouse sale, donated to a raffle, shared our posts or simply helped spread awareness, thank you.

You’ve helped turn this partnership into something truly meaningful.

Together, through play, compassion and community, we’re helping support brighter moments for children and families who need them most. 💛

By Charis Patel