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

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.

Dame Felicity Dahl and Sir Quentin Blake are co-presidents of the charity.

Marvin the Marvellous Mascot

Marvin is our marvellous mascot with a heart as big as his grin. For over 30 years, Marvin has been by our side, cheering on fundraisers, bringing smiles to children, and adding a splash of fun wherever he goes.
Marvin is a symbol of courage, kindness, and fun. For children facing the hardest times, Marvin brings joy, reassurance, and a sprinkle of magic.
You might see Marvin cheering on a marvellous run or waving from a hospital doorway. Wherever he appears, he’s there to support, to encourage, and to say a big thank you.

Illustration Marvin 1

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.

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