The Cicely Foundation was founded in 2007 by Steve and Maureen Cliffen. Steve was previously the Principal and proprietor of Coxlease School in Lyndhurst, Hampshire, a renowned Independent Residential Special School for pupils with severe Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties. When Coxlease was sold, Steve and Maureen thought at length how proceeds from the sale of school could go towards making a difference to the lives of deprived, vulnerable and underprivileged children and young people. The vision was to donate and raise funds that would benefit worthy initiatives not only in Dorset, Hampshire and London, the areas they knew best, but also nationally and internationally via Steve’s travels and established links with charities carrying out work overseas.

After much discussion and planning the idea of establishing an independent charitable foundation to support worthy individuals, projects and other charities became a reality.

Appropriate Trustees and Directors were identified and a working committee formed. The Cicely Foundation became a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee in December 2007 and Steve and Maureen donated a substantial sum to ‘start the ball rolling’. Since then money has been raised through a variety of sources and Steve and Maureen have managed to maintain a significant financial contribution. So far a range of charities/organisations have benefitted from donations varying between £500 and £15,000, so far totalling close to £200,000. Click here for further details.