Our History

Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity was founded in 1991, by Dame Felicity Dahl.

Her Majesty The Queen has been Royal Patron of Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity since 2017.

Dame Felicity Dahl

Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity is an independent organisation, established by Roald Dahl’s widow Dame Felicity Dahl, after the author’s death in 1991, motivated by their personal experiences of tragedy and lifelong commitment to supporting children and the medical professions, nurses in particular.

The charity has been innovating in specialist children’s nursing since 1991. The very first Roald Dahl Nurse Specialist, who was also the UK’s first-ever paediatric epilepsy specialist nurse, started in post in 1992. There are now over 200 Roald Dahl Nurses providing specialist care for thousands of families across the UK.

Our work is focused on our extraordinary Roald Dahl Nurses, and we exist to make life better for children living with complex, lifelong and often life-limiting illnesses, ensuring that every child and family we reach is treated with dignity and compassion, and has the vital care and support they desperately need and deserve.

We align and agree with the public statements made by the Roald Dahl Story Company and the Roald Dahl Museum, which unequivocally condemned the author’s antisemitic comments. Those views have no place in, or connection to, our charity. We stand firmly against all forms of racism, discrimination, and prejudice. Our focus is entirely on establishing more Roald Dahl Nurses and the children and families they support, regardless of background or belief, and our work is guided by the values of inclusivity and respect.

Marvellous Milestones

Please see some of the charity's key milestones below.

1992

Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity creates the first ever Paediatric Nurse Specialist post in the UK.

1995

Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity establishes the first ever Roald Dahl Nurse Specialist post in Scotland.

1999

Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity establishes the first Roald Dahl Nurse Specialist in Wales.

2001

Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity establishes the first Roald Dahl Sickle Cell Nurse Specialist.

2014

Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity appoints the 50th Roald Dahl Nurse Specialist.

2014

Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity launches the Marvellous Nurse Inventing Rooms in partnership with the Burdett Trust for Nursing to promote nurse-led innovation.

2016

Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity establishes the first Roald Dahl Rare Disease Nurse Specialists.

2017

Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity appoints the first Roald Dahl Neuro disability Nurse Specialist in Northern Ireland.

2018

Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity appoints the 70th Roald Dahl Nurse Specialist.

2021

Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity celebrates 30 years of specialist nursing.

2024

Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity establishes the first Roald Dahl Children with Medical Complexity Nurse Specialist.

2025

Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity celebrates over 200 Roald Dahl Nurses.

Find Out More

Roald Dahl Nurse and child
The Children We Support

Read more from some of the children and families we support.

Our Impact 2025
Our Impact

Over 200 Roald Dahl Nurses care for over 40,000 seriously ill children across the UK.

Runner in a challenge event
Ways To Get Involved

There are lots of ways to get involved and support our charity.

Sign up to our Newsletter

Hear all the latest news from Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity, including fundraising and events, information about Roald Dahl Nurses and more!