Miles for Smiles

Miles For Smiles Grants

Grants of up to £10,000 from a Swadlincote fundraising charity for people with life-limiting or life-changing health conditions or disabilities, and for the charities and voluntary community organisations that support them, in South Derbyshire, North West Leicestershire and East Staffordshire. Individuals and organisations apply through short online forms at any time, and the trustees aim to decide within eight weeks. The money comes from the charity's own challenges and events (over £570K raised since 2016).

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: Up to £10,000; no fixed round
Deadline: Rolling; apply any time
Effort: Light; short form, little evidence needed

Who can apply

Individuals, registered charities and voluntary community organisations based or residing in South Derbyshire, North West Leicestershire or East Staffordshire
Individuals must have a disability or a life-limiting or life-changing illness, and proof of diagnosis (a hospital letter) is required before any support is agreed; someone else can apply on their behalf, and under-18s' applications are signed by a parent or guardian
Organisations must be registered with the Charity Commission or have clearly stated charitable purposes, must exist to relieve the needs of people with a disability or life-limiting/life-changing illness, must show they are properly managed, and, if they serve young or vulnerable people, must have appropriate safeguarding rules in place
Social enterprises, private and statutory organisations are excluded
Up to £10,000 per applicant in any one year; applicants are typically not considered again within 12 months of their last decision

What it funds

Support for individuals who have a disability and require support to enhance their quality of life
Support for individuals who face life-changing or life-limiting illnesses that require support to manage their health and well being
Registered charities or voluntary community organisations whose purpose is to provide relief of need to beneficiaries that have a disability, by providing a service to enhance their quality of life
Registered charities or voluntary community organisations whose purpose is to provide relief of need to beneficiaries that have life-limiting or life-changing illnesses, by providing goods or services

What it will not fund

Projects outside South Derbyshire, North West Leicestershire and East Staffordshire
Social enterprises, private organisations or statutory organisations
Awards over £10,000
A further application within 12 months of your most recent application decision (successful or not), typically
Incomplete application forms

How to apply

Read the Miles for Smiles Funding Policy (V2, August 2026) linked from the Applications page
Complete the online form on the Applications page: the Individual Application (MFS Support Application Form) or the Organisation Application
Describe the support you want and the approximate costs, with an itemised breakdown of how the sum was calculated, then sign off the declaration
A member of the Miles for Smiles team gets in touch to discuss the application and ask for any further details (individuals are emailed about sending proof of diagnosis)
Trustees consider the application at their meeting and write with the outcome, with reasons if unsuccessful

successful individuals must provide receipts showing how the money was spent; organisations sign grant conditions and send a written report on the end use, and may receive monitoring visits.

Have ready

Individuals: proof of diagnosis by way of a hospital letter
Individuals: information on the identity and financial status of the applicant and/or household
Organisations: a copy of your signed and dated governing document
Organisations serving young or vulnerable people: evidence of appropriate safeguarding rules
An itemised breakdown showing how the sum requested has been calculated

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