Lifelites Awarded £65,000 Donation as CIBC Children’s Foundation Charity Partner

We are incredibly proud to announce a two-year partnership between Lifelites and The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). Lifelites received a £65,000 donation from CIBC, following an extraordinary year of fundraising. This contribution marks the beginning of the partnership, as Lifelites joins Hackney Quest and WellChild as an official CIBC Children’s Foundation charity partner.

A Legacy of Impact: The CIBC Children’s Foundation

We were one of the proud recipients of a huge £65,000 donation from CIBC following an incredible year of fundraising.

CIBC Children’s Foundation chose Lifelites as a new charity partner, along with Hackney Quest and WellChild. The 2-year partnership began in April 2025.

The Foundation was established in 1984 to raise funds for children’s charities around the world. It has since raised £150 million to improve the quality of life of thousands of children affected by disability, illness, social deprivation or life-limiting conditions.

CIBC Miracle Day: Turning Commissions into Change

During the course of the year, CIBC staff have taken part in various fundraising events. Ranging from quizzes to scavenger hunts and football tournaments. Staff were also able to take on volunteering opportunities.

The majority of fundraising, however, takes place on CIBC Miracle Day. The event takes place on the first Wednesday of December every year. On this day, participating CIBC Capital Markets employees donate their fees and commissions to the CIBC Children’s Foundation.

Opening the London Stock Exchange

The Lifelites team had a fantastic time at the London Miracle Day. The day started with a unique opportunity for our CEO, Rob Lightfoot, and Trustee Tracy Rennie, to help opening the London Stock Exchange.

Tech in Action: Showcasing Assistive Technology at Miracle Day

The Lifelites team ran an arcade style games-room filled with our life-changing technology. This gave CIBC employees the chance to see first-hand the incredible impact of the assistive and sensory technology their fundraising would help to fund. Of course, they also had the opportunity to compete with colleagues on Cosmo and VR games!

Special Guests and Creative Collaborations

We were delighted to welcome some extra special guests along on the day. Our community champion and blogger Habibah joined our Ambassador, Bake-Off star Josh Smalley to judge the amazing gingerbread house competition. Meanwhile our Patron, Sarah Ezekiel, attended the auction for which she had donated one of her stunning paintings.

Looking Ahead: A Shared Commitment to Children’s Futures

On behalf of Lifelites, Rob said: “Partnering CIBC World Markets Children’s Foundation is instrumental in enabling Lifelites to bring life-changing assistive and sensory technology into children’s hospices, helping children with life-limiting conditions communicate, play, and create precious memories with their families.

Our organisations share a deep commitment to improving the lives of children and families, and it is a genuine joy to work alongside the CIBC Foundation Committee and staff, whose energy and dedication make such a meaningful difference. With their support, we can truly make the impossible, possible for seriously ill children and their families, achieving real, lasting impact.”

For CIBC, CIBC Foundation Committee Chair, Tom Broad, emphasised how charitable support is embedded as part of the culture of the bank:

“The CIBC World Markets Children’s Foundation is dedicated to collaborating with and supporting charities that deliver essential services to children and their families. Lifelites exemplifies the values our Foundation strives to uphold, enabling children with life-limiting conditions to experience the world through innovative assistive and sensory technology.

Rob and the entire Lifelites team demonstrate exceptional passion and commitment in their work. They are consistently engaged at the heart of our charitable activities, providing valuable input and support for our events.

Thanks to the partnership and efforts of Lifelites, we have achieved a record-breaking fundraising year. We are grateful for their ongoing collaboration and look forward to continuing our successful partnership in the year ahead.”

With Year 2 planning already underway, everyone at Lifelites is looking forward to a busy and exciting year working with CIBC, Hackney Quest and WellChild over the coming months to raise vital funds for children and young people across the UK.