Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons Charity has completed its £20,000 “Platinum Pledge” to national children's charity Lifelites, funding sensory and assistive technology now used by more than 750 seriously ill children and young people every year.

Children and families at Rainbows Hospice use Lifelites technology to play, connect and build precious memories together.

Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons Charity (LRFC) has completed a four-year, £20,000 “Platinum Pledge” to Lifelites, having made its final instalment of £5,000 on 5 August 2026.

The funding has equipped Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People with a suite of specialist sensory and assistive technology, including sensory PODS tents, the interactive Magic Carpet, music-making Soundbeam technology, an interactive Tilt and Touch Table, and immersive virtual reality headsets.

Confirming receipt of the final payment, Lifelites Chief Executive Rob Lightfoot wrote to thank the members of Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons for their support:

Technology that transforms everyday life

Lifelites provides the latest sensory and assistive technology, training and ongoing support, free of charge, to children's palliative care, special education and care services across the UK and Ireland. It reaches more than 15,500 seriously ill children every year, of which 750 access technology funded at Rainbows Hospice alone.

For children living with life-limiting conditions and complex disabilities, the equipment offers something simple but precious: a way to play, connect and communicate that their condition would otherwise put out of reach.

From left: Katie-Rae with the Soundbeam; Talia with the Tilt and Touch Table; Taneesha exploring virtual reality, all funded through the Lifelites partnership with Rainbows Hospice.

Elijah's story

Six-year-old Elijah, who lives with Alexander's disease, a rare genetic neurological disorder, is one of the children whose life has been changed by the equipment funded through the pledge. He loves painting, drawing and playing on the Tilt and Touch Table, whose large, colourful, reactive screen lets him create and interact with stories and games.

“He's funny, he's cheeky, he's loving, just like any other six-year-old boy. Elijah loves to play with the Tilt Table, it was one of the first things he really started to work with, and it brought out his playful side.”: Elijah's mum

The technology has also helped Elijah bond with his older sister, Matilda. “He has asked for the sensory POD to come out and made Matilda get inside it to play with him. Being here at Rainbows and being able to access these activities has helped them to bond together as siblings, which for us as parents has been really special to watch,” his mum says.

Rainbows play worker Jackie says the equipment has transformed what she is able to offer the children in her care: “The Magic Carpet is a particular favourite with our children. You can have a child who isn't very mobile or not keen on moving, and the interactivity of the Magic Carpet gives them that encouragement to move, which in turn helps them to stay independent and more in control. The Lifelites technology has really added to the children's experience here at Rainbows.”

Lifelites trainer Dan with families on the Magic Carpet at Rainbows Hospice.

A milestone year for Lifelites

The pledge's completion falls in Lifelites' 25th anniversary year. Across 2025/26, and with the support of partners including Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons, the charity delivered the following:

2,302 hours of training delivered

14,576 children & young people supported

10,545 miles travelled for installations & training

£847,000 of new equipment, training & support

16 packages of new technology delivered

160,000+ children empowered since 2001

Partner organisations reported a 96% improvement in emotional wellbeing, a 96% improvement in communication, and a 98% increase in independence among the children they support.

Looking ahead

Lifelites and Rainbows have now agreed a new package of technology, specialist training and technical support for the next four years, worth close to £60,000. Lifelites has also recently agreed to support an innovative new project with Leicester Royal Infirmary's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, creating a first-of-its-kind ambient sensory room where babies and their families can connect and make memories, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Savannah using Eyegaze technology to communicate and play games.

Rob Lightfoot said Lifelites would welcome the opportunity to discuss growing the partnership with Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons further: “It has been a privilege working with you and, with a new package of technology, specialist training and technical support for Rainbows on the horizon, we would be delighted to seek your support to enable this project to happen.”

Anyone wishing to find out more about supporting Lifelites, including the charity's Honorifics programme for Freemasons, can visit lifelites.org/support-our-work/freemasonry.