The Lisha Foundation

Transforming loss into hope. Building stronger families. Creating brighter futures.

Every life leaves a mark.

Some lives leave a legacy that continues to change others long after they are gone.

On 1 August 2020, at around 6:30 pm, Elisha “Lisha” Gomera passed away unexpectedly. He was a much-loved son, brother, relative and friend whose kindness, generosity and ability to bring people together left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.

His passing came during one of the most difficult periods in modern history. Across the United Kingdom, families were grieving loved ones, facing isolation and struggling with the emotional and financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the midst of that loss came a simple but powerful question:

How can one life continue to make a difference?

The answer became The Lisha Foundation.

Registered in 2022 as a UK charity, the Foundation exists to honour Lisha’s legacy by walking alongside families, supporting young people and helping communities move forward with hope.

Our journey began with the Bereavement Grant Programme, providing practical and compassionate support to young adults and families who had lost loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. We recognised that while grief cannot be removed, people should never have to face it alone.

As communities recovered, our work evolved.

Through the Essential Support Project, we walk alongside individuals and families experiencing hardship, offering practical support when it is needed most.

Through Active. Healthy Together., we bring people together to encourage healthier lifestyles, stronger family relationships and more connected communities. We believe wellbeing is about more than physical health. It is also about belonging, confidence and hope.

Everything we do is rooted in a simple belief:

Strong families build strong communities.

When families are supported, children thrive. When young people are encouraged, they discover confidence. When communities come together, hope grows.

Today, our work is proudly rooted in the United Kingdom. Our focus is to build a trusted, sustainable charity that delivers meaningful and measurable impact. As we continue to grow, we hope to share our experience through partnerships with organisations that share our values, including, in time, partners across Africa.

Our Vision

A world where every family has hope, every young person has the opportunity to flourish, and every community is strengthened through kindness, resilience and shared purpose.

Our Values

Compassion
We meet people where they are, with empathy, dignity and respect.

Our Purpose

We exist to transform loss into hope by walking alongside families, empowering young people and young adults, and building stronger, healthier communities.

Inspired by the life and values of Elisha (“Lisha”) Gomera, we provide compassion, practical support and opportunities that help people overcome adversity, build resilience and create brighter futures.

Hope
We believe that even in life’s most difficult moments, brighter futures can be built.

Community
We know lasting change happens when people support one another.

Integrity
We are accountable, transparent and committed to earning the trust placed in us.

Opportunity
We help people build the confidence, skills and support they need to move forward.

The Lisha Foundation is more than a charity.

It is a living legacy.

A reminder that love does not end with loss, that kindness can become action, and that one life can continue to inspire hope for generations to come.