We are asking our community and supporters to help us raise £20,000 by the end of March 2026 to cover the essential costs that underpin everything we do at Young Tongues.
Ensuring our patient-led work can continue, grow responsibly, and deliver projects that are already funded and ready to go.
“We have exciting, partially funded projects lined up.
But project funding alone doesn’t keep a charity running.
This campaign bridges that gap.”
Barbara Fountain, CEO & Founder
The reality behind
patient-led work
The funding we’ve been able to secure is restricted, which means it can only be used for specific projects.
It cannot be used for the everyday work that keeps Young Tongues running safely and responsibly.
Fund the Foundations supports the people, digital tools, safeguarding, governance and community care that allow patient-led work to happen safely, consistently and responsibly.
Without flexible funding, we cannot keep the infrastructure in place that makes our impact possible .
Donating from Europe & Switzerland (tax-deductible)
If you’re based in Europe or Switzerland, you will soon be able to make a tax-deductible donation to Young Tongues through Transnational Giving Europe.
We expect our account to be live in the coming weeks. In the meantime, please make a pledge via the form and we’ll let you know as soon as the platform is ready.
Switzerland (special note)
Swiss donations are handled by the Swiss Philanthropic Foundation. To be tax-deductible in Switzerland, donations must be CHF 500 or more.
Fundraise for Young Tongues
Fundraising for Young Tongues is one of the most powerful ways to support our work.
We know that fundraising doesn’t always fit neatly into a campaign window and that’s absolutely fine. Whether your idea takes place during this campaign or much later in the year, it still makes a real difference.
What fundraising means to us
Fundraising helps us in two equally important ways:
It raises vital funds that support our work and help sustain the charity over time
It raises awareness of Young Tongues and tongue cancer helping more people find support, recognise symptoms earlier, and understand the realities younger patients face
Every fundraiser becomes a conversation starter. Every shared page helps our reach grow.
Fundraising ideas
(big or small)
There’s no “right” way to fundraise. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
Set up a birthday fundraiser and ask for donations instead of gifts
Take on a personal challenge (walking, running, cycling, swimming — at any scale)
Host a coffee morning, quiz night or bake sale
Organise a workplace or community fundraiser
Take part in a local or virtual event and fundraise alongside it
Create something simple and personal — whatever feels right for you
If you have an idea, we’d love to help you make it happen.
We’re here to support you
If you’d like to talk through an idea, need materials, or want to sense-check your plans, please get in touch with Barbara at
[email protected]
Or, if you’re ready to go, you can set up a fundraiser directly on JustGiving in just a few minutes.
Whether your fundraiser happens now or later in the year, thank you. Your time, creativity and willingness to share our work helps keep Young Tongues visible, supported and growing responsibly.
Share the campaign
We’re reaching out directly to our Young Tongues community to help us raise the funds we need and we want to be really clear about something.
As tongue cancer patients ourselves, we know how tough finances can be. If you’re not in a position to donate, we completely understand. We’re in the same boat with you.
But there is another powerful way you can help.
Why sharing matters so much
When you share this campaign and explain to others how Young Tongues has supported you, it helps people who may never have heard of us understand why this work matters.
Your family, friends and wider networks may be in a position to donate and they may choose to do so on your behalf once they understand the difference Young Tongues has made in your life.
Simple ways to share
Post the campaign in your Facebook or WhatsApp groups
Share it across Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn
Forward the campaign by email or word of mouth
Add a few personal words about what Young Tongues has meant to you
There’s no pressure to say more than feels comfortable. Even a simple share helps.
Our impact so far
In our first year as a registered charity, Young Tongues has focused on doing a few things well — building trusted support, centring lived experience, and laying strong foundations for long-term impact.
Already, we have:
Supported a global community of young tongue cancer patients and their supporters through moderated peer support spaces
Delivered regular virtual meet-ups, reducing isolation and connecting people who understand first-hand
Amplified the patient voice through advocacy, collaboration and education
Built trusted relationships with clinicians, researchers and policymakers
Taken the first steps towards new projects that will strengthen patient support and involvement
This early progress reflects what’s possible when patient-led work is resourced, safeguarded and done responsibly.
For a transparent overview of what we’ve achieved — and how funds have been used you can read our Annual Report 2024/2025.
From our community
Even though I had almost all of my tongue removed, I can eat anything — even steak!
I was lucky to have an incredible medical team, but there’s no substitution for lived experiences. I received invaluable advice, support, and guidance from people in the Young Tongues community. Being able to help others has helped me reconcile what happened to me. Even if all you do is read what others say, there’s a wealth of wisdom within the group. Sometimes all you need is to know someone else went through this.
- Imogen Brooks
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Young Tongues is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) registered in England and Wales (1204866) Registered address: 109 Knowsley Road, Norwich, NR3 4PT, United Kingdom
© 2021 Young Tongues
